How about a leisurely stroll across a bridge that’s more than just a crossing? This is the Goodwill Bridge. It connects South Bank Parklands to the Brisbane CBD. The Goodwill Bridge is a vital link. It’s especially useful for pedestrians and cyclists.
Opened on October 21, 2001, the Goodwill Bridge got its name from the Goodwill Games. Brisbane hosted the games that year. This bridge is exclusively for pedestrians, cyclists, and inline skaters. No cars allowed.
The Goodwill Bridge’s design is quite unique. It has an asymmetrical form. It doesn’t follow a particular scheme. Some find it a work of art. Others see it as a monstrosity.
The bridge is 450 metres long and 6.5 metres wide. The central arch spans 102 metres. It gives plenty of room for river vessels. The clearance is between 11.4 and 12.7 metres. That’s the same height as the Victoria and Captain Cook bridges.
The Goodwill Bridge has two main parts. These are the pavilion and the arch. The pavilion sits in the middle of the river. It’s between the arch and the city approach. It supports one end of the arch. The arch is 102 metres long. It is 10 metres wide and 15 metres high. It weighs 360 long tons.
The bridge deck has a concrete surface. It has a broom finish for a safe foothold. The concrete is coloured. Bandings mark areas where caution is needed.
Six CCTV cameras watch over the bridge. Security monitors them from the South Bank Security Control Room.
Cox Rayner designed the Goodwill Bridge. Ove Arup and Partners handled the design preparation. The John Holland Group was the construction company. Jack Sullivan was the project manager.
The bridge’s construction wasn’t without issues. Its cost grew. This led to a budgetary blow-out. It used $20.3 million in government funds.
Queen Elizabeth II was to open the bridge. But the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was postponed. The venue changed after the September 11 attacks. Queensland Premier Peter Beattie opened the Goodwill Bridge instead.
More than 40,000 people use the Goodwill Bridge each week. It’s a major access point between South Bank and the city. It provides a link for a continuous run.
The Goodwill Bridge also has seating bays. These let you stop and enjoy the river view. You can relax. The bridge includes strategically positioned platforms. The pavilion-viewing platform provide rest points for pedestrians and cyclists.
Interestingly, the Goodwill Bridge was constructed downstream at Hemmant. It took three months. Barges floated the arch upstream at low tide. They floated it under the Captain Cook Bridge. Then, two heavy lift towers lifted it into place. Except for cables, all materials came from local suppliers.
Between 2013 and 2022, you could even grab a coffee. A coffee cart operated halfway across the bridge.
The Goodwill Bridge is more than just a way to get from one side of the river to the other. It’s a place to pause. It is a place to appreciate Brisbane’s beauty. It’s a link that brings people together.