Overview
Brisbane has already scored one new green bridge in 2024 — and by the time that the year is out, the city's pedestrians and cyclists will be able to cross the river via another. Launching Breakfast Creek's Yowoggera green bridge opened the year. Getting folks strolling and rolling across Kangaroo Point's counterpart is set to close it. Only the latter comes with its own restaurant, bar and cafe, however.
Brisbane City Council has announced that the final span of the new 460-metre bridge that's connecting Alice Street and Edward streets in the CBD to Scott Street in Kangaroo Point has just been placed. That means that the project is now 85-percent done. There's still more work to underway, but Brisbanites can expect to be moseying over it sooner rather than later — although no exact opening date, other than late 2024, has been announced.
Also now in place: the stay cables supporting the bridge's main 182.7-metre span. Workers are currently concreting the bridge deck; adding the structure's balustrades, as well as its seating and lighting; and installing the covered pedestrian walkway, which will help power the bridge via solar panels.
Stairs to Scott Street and a lift up to the bridge deck from CT White Park are also still in the works. And if you're wondering about overwater restaurant Stilts, the steel framework is in place and the roof is being installed. On the CBD side of the bridge, construction of riverside cafe Mulga Bill's is also ongoing.
The complete bridge, a single-mast cable stayed structure with minimum width of 6.8 metres, will feature dedicated cycle and pedestrian paths across its expanse. On either side, viewing platforms will give visitors a 360-degree view of the city.
It was back in 2021 that Brisbane learned of the structure's plan to become a destination for eating and drinking as well, viaan overwater venue and a cafe in its plaza area. Then, in 2023, Brisbane City Council revealed a heap more details, including that two dining spots will open in 2024 — and that Tassis Group, the hospitality crew with Fatcow on James St, Longwang, Fosh Restaurant & Bar, Opa Bar + Mezze, Yamas Greek + Drink, Rich & Rare, and Massimo Restaurant and Bar to its name, is behind them.
Tassis will open restaurant and bar Stilts — which was formerly going to be called Bombora — for bites and drinks ten metres above the Brisbane River, plus the Mulga Bill's cafe to take care of bridge visitors' caffeine fix. Neither have exact launch dates at present.
Views are clearly a big highlight at Stilts, which will feature vistas spanning over the Brisbane River, CBD, Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point cliffs. Nothing has been unveiled about the menu yet, but the venue's design will take its perch to heart, evoking moving water in a homage to its above-the-river spot.
As for Mulga Bill's, it'll sit by the river in the new urban plaza that's being created on the corner of Edward and Alice streets. The cafe is pitched as a stopover spot for frequent bridge users, which it'll reflect in its bicycle-themed decor. And, food-wise, it'll serve up wood-fired pizzas, steak and seafood to eat in, plus pastries and picnic boxes to grab and go.
Both venues are expected to score ample foot traffic. Indeed, more than 6000 pedestrians, cyclists and e-mobility riders are forecast to be using the bridge every day by 2036.
The Kangaroo Point Green Bridge is set to open by late 2024, stretching from Alice Street and Edward streets in the CBD to Scott Street in Kangaroo Point. We'll update you with exact launch dates when they're announced. Head to the Brisbane City Council website for more details in the interim.
Images: Brisbane City Council.