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World-class pedestrian bridge
A 400-metre pedestrian and cycle bridge – believed to be the world’s longest – is a new architectural feature linking the central business district with the South Bank district of Brisbane, Australia.
It is part of an $80 million upgrade of the Queensland capital’s recreational facilities at South Bank – site of the 1988 World Expo.
Now containing the Griffith University’s College of Art, State museums, art galleries and performing arts centre, a tree-lined boulevard, parklands and even a beach, South Bank attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year.
The bridge spanning the Brisbane River from a CBD point adjacent to the Queensland University of Technology aims to provide a useful link to the area for tourists, residents and students.
Miska Pty Ltd’s expertise has been utilised to meet the challenge’s of the bridge’s unusual design.
The State Government says it differs from other bridges around the world, due to its three distinctly designed elements – an approach ramp from each side of the river, and a double arch structure spanning the middle.
On the CBD side, the pier reaches out to a pavilion with viewing platforms, broad canopies and ramps enable people to get close to the water.
The 150 metre central span deck is about 11.5 metres above the river, and the arch rises a further 15 metres, forming a delicate and graceful link between the two ramps.
By night, it appears as a ribbon of light suspended above the water.
Miska products – heavy duty ACHD 128, ACHD 140 and specially produced ACHD 160 joints with bead blasted aluminium cover strips – were the chosen expansion joints for both abutments and in other areas of construction.
The ACHD is designed specifically for both high pedestrian traffic, and for vehicle use – important since emergency vehicles such as ambulances may be required on the bridge.
The ACHD also easily accommodates horizontal, transverse and vertical joint movement with its centring bar system restraining the coverplate in such a way that it remains centred in the joint at all times, even under heavy load.
At the same time it maintains a smooth transition from one floor slab to another and, correctly installed, will last the life of the structure.