Riverwalk (former floating walkway) - Preliminary Design Released

Image sourced from www.brisbanetimes.com.au

To may great surprise last week the Brisbane City Council released it's preliminary design for the replacement to the former floating walkway now just being given the title of Riverwalk. According to council the preliminary designs offers

 

• a more flood-resilient structure, designed to last for 100 years
• a rotating opening span to allow for the passage of vessels to and from moorings
• a new alignment that will take users further out into the river for the majority of the walkway, to improve the river experience and increase privacy for residents
• a segregated pedestrian and cycle path, 2.5m and 3.5m wide respectively
• shaded rest and viewing areas at various locations along the walkway

There must be little doubt that a fixed structure would be more flood resistant.
One interesting change from the concept drawings is the swing section to allow for vessels to access property moorings. This was originally to be a lift bridge but I have to say I personally prefer the swing design. It will be a bit more dramatic and interesting when a boat is moved in or out (a once a year event if your lucky). I am particularly interested how the joins between the swing and permanent sections will be treated.

I have to say when it comes to the structure being further out in the river, I don't care! I would have to say this would be more than likely the opinion of most of the people who will use it day in day out in there commute. This movement out has more to do with the privacy of residences then "improved river experience". That said the Zig Zaging at the Howard Smith end of the structure is a little strange. Corners are not a bike riders friend I do hope these are eased into bends.

THANK YOU! Common sense has prevailed and the replacement structure is to be designated as pedestrian one side and cyclist the other. At 2.5m to pedestrians and 3.5m to cyclists there should be little conflict if everyone behaves themselves. This will make the path a total of 6m wide only 1m wider then the previous shared path at 5m wide. This will make a world of difference as the old path was becoming quite uncomfortable for all concerned during peak usage times. Breaking the modes apart will mean that the carrying capacity of path will hopefully exceed what will ever be required of it.

Shade Rest Areas I have to say are welcome additions. The former floating structure had some rest areas however they were not shaded resulting in no one really using them. It was more like a roasting area in summer then a rest area. Adding shading will mean people will truly be able to rest.

Both Brisbane Times & The Courier Mail had articles to read. Thankfully the Courier had it's comments bar turned off meaning that every out of town bogan was denied the chance to stir the pot.

That all said it does not look to bad but more detailed drawings need to be provided so we really know what we are looking at and getting.

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/roads-infrastructure-bikeways/bikeway-and-pathway-projects/Riverwalk-replacement/index.htm

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/roads-infrastructure-bikeways/bikeway-and-pathway-projects/Riverwalk-replacement/index.htm

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/downloads/traffic_transport/roads_infrastructure_bikeways/riverwalk_preliminary_project_plan_opening_span.pdf