The $19.5 million green bridge linking our Home of the Arts with Chevron Island is now open.
Mayor Tom Tate officially opened the bridge at a community event today, describing it as a benchmark for future green bridges around the city.
"This bridge will serve as a vital active transport link and make our evolving cultural precinct so much more accessible - easy walking distance from Surfers Paradise and the light rail," he said.
"People wanting to visit HOTA for a show or the gallery, or go for a swim at Evandale Lake will be able to walk or cycle from Surfers Paradise or Chevron Island and arrive directly in the precinct.
"It's a much anticipated bridge that is giving residents and visitors easier access to enjoy the arts and the outdoors."
The green bridge represents the second major milestone in the evolving HOTA precinct. The first was the $37.5million outdoor stage, with the third the delivery of the $60.5million art gallery, due to open early 2021.
Mayor Tate said the green bridge created 340 jobs during construction. It is 130 metres long, five metres wide, contains almost 500 tonnes of steel reinforcement and 1382 cubic metres of concrete; and its striking feature is the three dimensional façade over the lake - titled 40 Million Mornings.
"The landing features a fig tree relocated from within the HOTA parklands, and seating where visitors can appreciate the views across the precinct and the city skyline - this will be a great spot for a selfie!" he said.
"We have also upgraded the shared path around Evandale Lake to provide a wider connection from the bridge to HOTA Outdoor Stage.
"I'd especially like to thank all the HOTA precinct users, Chevron Island businesses and Cr Gary Baildon for their patience during construction."
Free public Wi-Fi is now available throughout the HOTA precinct grounds, via the Surf Network.
Residents and visitors can connect to the Surf Network and access to 4GB data per day on their journey walking between HOTA and Surfers Paradise, via Chevron Island.
HOTA is the latest coverage area added to the network, which includes Broadwater Parklands, Surfers Paradise, Chevron Island, Broadbeach, Miami, Coolangatta and City Libraries.
Construction facts
- The bridge has three piers, 491 tonnes of steel reinforcement and girders and 1382 cubic metres of concrete.
- The longest girder span is 44 metres.
- With a five-metre wide deck, the bridge spans 130 metres across the Nerang River.
- The façade comprises 26 modules of artwork made of anodised aluminium.
- 250 lights in the bridge railings and footpaths.
- The bridge landing has also been designed to cater for small performances or vendors like an ice cream cart.
- The project provided 340 jobs with 50 per cent taken up by Gold Coasters.
- 89,000 labour hours spent on construction.
- The design and construct contractor is a joint venture partnership with Georgiou Group Pty Ltd and Brady Marine & Civil Pty Ltd.
- The bridge includes aspects of the voronoi design principle of the masterplan which connects facilities across the precinct.
