Kurilpa Bridge was officially opened yesterday in the Australian city of Brisbane. The 470m-long bridge, which has been engineered by Arup, features an array of cables and masts that have been likened to the ropes and spars of sailing boats.
The cable-stayed bridge with its multiple masts is based on principles of 'tensegrity', in which the structural integrity is designed to create a synergy between balanced tension and compression components to produce a lightweight, strong and stable structure. It is built from more than 1,500m3 of concrete, 550t of steel and cabling totalling more than 6.8km.
The US$54.8 million pedestrian and cycle bridge links the city centre and South Brisbane. Baulderstone won the design and construction contract in March 2007, with design by Arup as engineer working with Cox Rayner Architects. The scheme was managed by the Department of Public Works.
It was officially opened yesterday by Queensland's premier Anna Bligh, who described the bridge as stunning. "I'm sure in time people around the world will be talking about it," she said.
