A 44-metre long steel box girder has successfully been placed on the $19.5 million Green Bridge to HOTA bringing a new connection to Chevron Island and Surfers Paradise to reality.
The final - and longest - girder was placed last week as design and construct contractor Georgiou Brady Joint Venture (GBJV) moves into the final construction phase ahead of practical completion in early 2020.
Mayor Tom Tate this morning inspected the bridge construction and the striking three-dimensional façade titled '40 Million Mornings' which will wrap the j-shaped landing over Evandale Lake.
Mayor Tate says he was delighted to mark the major milestone of the landmark Green Bridge project.
"Seven years ago we first started talking about a new green pedestrian and cycle link to Chevron Island," he says.
"Now it is close to reality as early next year our evolving cultural precinct will be within walking distance of Chevron Island, our busy tourist hub of Surfers Paradise and beyond via the light rail corridor.
"Construction with piling activities, installing piers, northern and southern landings and the placement of the four steel box bridge girders is complete.
"We have also upgraded the shared path around Evandale Lake to provide a wider connection from the bridge to HOTA Outdoor Stage.
"Over the next few weeks GBJV will put the finishing touches on the bridge with the blue concrete deck and the voronoi shaped balustrading as well as complete landscaping works."
The Green Bridge has a 5-metre wide deck and spans 130 metres across the Nerang River. The three bridge piers support 263 tonnes of steel. The bridge comprises more than 500 tonnes of steel reinforcement and girders and 1382 cubic metres of concrete.
Creative duo Warren Langley and Jess Austin worked in conjunction with GBJV to develop the look and feel of the façade to meet the vision brief created by HOTA. The design draws on the themes of water and open hands to underpin the notion of past, present and future.
The façade comprises 26 modules of artwork made from anodised aluminium. The folded form and golden colour represents the colour of the sun on the Nerang River over 40 million mornings.
Mayor Tate says the '40 Million Mornings' installation will provide a new selfie moment for the City.
"Lit at night it will create a striking beacon that is reflected on the lake," he says.
The J-shaped landing also features a fig tree relocated from with the HOTA precinct and seating for appreciation of the views across the precinct and the city skyline. A small plaza area is also ideal for a pop-up ice cream cart or an acoustic performance.
The Green Bridge project has provided 340 jobs with 50 per cent taken up by Gold Coasters. To date 75,000 man hours have been spent on the bridge construction.
