A sod turning ceremony was held at Kurilpa Park, South Brisbane on 12 December 2007. The bridge was opened on 4 October 2009 by Queensland PremierAnna Bligh.[5]
Kurilpa Bridge is the world's largest hybrid tensegrity bridge.[6] Only the horizontal spars conform to tensegrity principles. The Kurilpa Bridge is a multiple-mast, cable-stay structure based on principles of tensegrity producing a synergy between balanced tension and compression components to create a light structure which is incredibly strong.[6]
The bridge is 470 metres (1,540 ft) long with a main span of 128 metres (420 ft) and features two large viewing and relaxation platforms, two rest areas, and a continuous all-weather canopy for the entire length of the bridge.[7][8] A canopy is supported by a secondary tensegrity structure.[6] It is estimated that 560 tonnes (620 short tons) of structural steel including 6.8 kilometres (4.2 mi) of helical strand cable are incorporated into the bridge.[9]
The bridge structure comprises 18 structural steel bridge decks, 20 structural steel masts and 16 horizontal spars [citation needed] or in layman's terms horizontal masts. 72 precast concrete deck slabs sit on the main bridge deck and are secured to the steel structure and together by in-situ concrete stitch pours [citation needed]. The complex cabling system comprises 80 main galvanised helical strand cables and 252 tensegrity cables that are made from superduplex stainless steel [citation needed]. The piecing together of these elements was the highest risk on the project, where any error in the dimension of one of the elements would have halted the critical path of the project. The superstructure was within 13mm of its planned vertical position in its final state at the centre of the bridge [citation needed].
The bridge is lit with a sophisticated LED lighting system which can be programmed to produce an array of different lighting effects. Depending on lighting configurations, 75%-100% of the power required is provided by solar energy.[6]
A public competition was held to decide on a new name for the bridge. On 23 November 2008 it was announced that the winning entry was Kurilpa Bridge,[10] submitted by Shane Spargo of Nundah, Queensland.[11] The name reflects the Australian Aboriginal word for the South Brisbane and West End area, and means 'place for water rats'.[12]
^Chalmers, Emma; Margaret Wenham (July 2007). "Trams back in Brisbane". couriermail.com.au. Queensland Newspapers. Archived from the original on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 21 January 2008.
^Beattie, Peter; Robert Schwarten (5 March 2007). "Tank Street Bridge design unveiled". Ministerial media statements. Queensland government. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 21 January 2008.
^Queensland Government, Department of Public Works (2003). "Major Projects: Tank Street Bridge". The State of Queensland (Department of Public Works). Archived from the original on 16 May 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
^"Kurilpa Bridge". Arup. Archived from the original on 22 November 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
^Howson, Spencer (November 2008). "It's the Kurilpa Bridge!". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2008.
