Proud to deliver Brisbane’s next iconic bridge

The BESIX Watpac led Connect Brisbane team, which includes Rizzani de Eccher, WSP, Blight Rayner, Dissing and Weitling, Aspect Studios, RWDI, F-POV, Right Angle Studios and Rowland, represents the world’s leading bridge design and delivery expertise, in addition to vast local experience and an intimate understanding of Brisbane and its people.

BESIX Watpac CEO Jean-Pol Bouharmont says today’s announcement is a particularly proud moment for the Brisbane headquartered company.

“BESIX Watpac’s focus has been to bring the best of BESIX global group’s engineering-led, multidisciplinary expertise together with our nearly 40 years of proud local experience. The Kangaroo Point Green Bridge is a symbol of the strength and capability of BESIX Watpac and we are all incredibly proud of what we are about to deliver for the Brisbane City Council and the people of Brisbane,” Jean-Pol said.

BESIX Watpac General Manager Queensland, Northern Territory and New Zealand, Drew Brockhurst says the KPGB will join an impressive portfolio of iconic landmarks delivered by the company in Queensland.

“We have delivered some amazing projects in our nearly 40 years including major hospitals such as STARS at Herston Quarter, iconic stadiums such as The Gabba, Suncorp and QCB Stadium in Townsville, but the KPGB will take our contribution to the Queensland landscape to a new level and the team can’t wait to get started,” he said.

BESIX Watpac KPGB Project Director Bram Gruwez says the bridge will have global significance.

“The KPGB will be among the longest span cable stay pedestrian bridges in the world and when added to its graceful elegance, will make it an enduring feature of our city,” Bram said.

Bram also pointed to the significant economic boost the KPGB will bring to Brisbane.

“We are excited about the local stimulus the project will deliver during the construction phase. We estimate it will generate more than 300 local jobs, 50 new apprenticeships and we target an Indigenous participation rate of 5%. We’ll also be maximising involvement by local subcontractors and suppliers with more than 40% to come from the Brisbane Local Government Area and more than 90% from the broader South East Queensland region,” Bram said.

The contract award signals the commencement of five months of detailed design work and stakeholder consultation before construction activity commences.

Construction work is scheduled to commence onsite at the end of 2021 and detailed planning is underway to minimise disruption on both sides of the river with a range of temporary pedestrian thoroughfares to accompany various phases of construction.

The Kangaroo Point Green Bridge is scheduled to reach practical completion in the second half of 2023.