29 Nov 2010
Brisbane’s iconic Kurilpa Bridge achieved further recognition with Arup and Baulderstone awarded joint winners of a 2010 Australian Engineering Excellence Award for their contribution to the project.
The award was presented during a ceremony held at Parliament House in Canberra.
The $63.3m, 425m-long bridge forms a pedestrian and cycle link between Tank Street and Kurilpa Park, providing a key connection from the city to Brisbane’s highly awarded arts, cultural and leisure precinct.
On receiving the award Ian Ainsworth, an Arup Principal and Arup Project Director describes how the bridge’s unique and iconic design required exceptional level of engineering accuracy, attention to detail and collaboration. “The use of tensegrity structures of this scale was something that had never been attempted before, so there were no precedents anywhere in the world from which we could draw,” says Ian.
Team effort
Overcoming the technical challenges posed by the unique structural form and the congested inner city site not only required extreme innovation in structural engineering design, but also the development of a suite of new approaches, processes and software tools, he continues. “The successful completion of the ambitious project on time and on budget is a significant engineering and construction achievement, and testament to the contribution and collaboration of the entire project team.”
The award is a great honour for Arup and Baulderstone, as well as the entire project team including partner Cox Rayner; and for the client, the Department of Public Works; and the many suppliers who played important roles in the successful delivery of the project.
Engineering achievement
Baulderstone General Manager for Queensland, Stephen Green, said Kurilpa Bridge is a spectacular addition to our nation’s list of engineering and construction achievements. “It delivers an iconic national landmark and a vital connection between the Brisbane CBD and the city’s cultural heart through innovative and unique design, engineering and construction,” Mr Green said. “We set up a tightly controlled construction zone within Brisbane’s central CBD; over a thriving commercial and recreational river; and across the busiest road corridor in Queensland; with little disruption and zero obstruction.”
The award joins a long list of accolades and citations for the project’s design and construction team, including the Engineers Australia Queensland 2010 Engineering Excellence Awards for Project Infrastructure over $20m Award and for Innovation; the 2010 Australian Steel Institute Structural Engineering Steel Building Design Award; and The Karl Langer Award for Urban Design in the 2010 Australian Institute of Architecture Awards.
Share: