The Kangaroo Point Green Bridge in Brisbane, Australia, is a 470 m long pedestrian and cycle bridge that connects Kangaroo Point to the Brisbane Central Business District. Designed by Blight Rayner Architecture in collaboration with Dissing+Weitling, and engineered by WSP, the bridge exemplifies how steel can be used to merge functionality with architectural expression in modern urban infrastructure. The bridge is not only a means of crossing but also a civic destination, activating public spaces at both ends with restaurants and offering panoramic views of the Brisbane River.
Central to the bridge’s structure is its 95 m high central steel mast, which supports the deck via high-tensile steel cables in a single-mast cable-stayed configuration. This setup allows for a wide, uninterrupted span over the river, reducing the need for multiple piers and creating an open, graceful silhouette. The 6.8 m wide bridge deck, fabricated from steel box girders, provides exceptional strength while maintaining a slender visual profile. Additional steel components include parapets, handrails, balustrades, and lighting enclosures-designed to ensure safety while enhancing the bridge’s aesthetic and functional value.
The entire bridge structure was prefabricated off-site, including the mast, deck segments, and anchorage systems. These prefabricated elements were transported via barge and lifted into place with hydraulic strand jacks, significantly speeding up the construction process while minimising disruption to the surrounding environment. Steel’s lightweight properties and ease of fabrication played a vital role in achieving this modular, fast-track construction approach.
Steel also supports the bridge’s broader sustainability goals. Embedded LED lighting, housed within the steel handrails and underdeck, transforms the bridge into an illuminated landmark at night. The steel structure, treated with marine-grade protective coatings, is built to withstand Brisbane’s humid and coastal climate with minimal maintenance. The bridge is expected to remove over 84,000 car trips annually, supporting Brisbane’s shift towards greener, more pedestrian-friendly urban planning.
With its elegant steel silhouette, innovative design, and urban activation, the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge showcases how modern steel construction can elevate public infrastructure into sculptural, sustainable landmarks. It stands as a global reference for cities seeking to combine architectural beauty with mobility, efficiency, and civic engagement.
