What is the Kurilpa Bridge in Brisbane?
The Kurilpa Bridge is a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Brisbane River, opened in 2009, linking the CBD with South Brisbane's cultural precinct. It is the world's largest tensegrity bridge.
Tensegrity is a structural system in which separate compression struts are held in place by a network of steel cables under tension. The design gives the bridge a spiky, almost tangled look of masts and wires.
The bridge is about 470 metres long. It connects the city's North Quay area to the Gallery of Modern Art and the State Library of Queensland.
Lights and design
At night, LED lights illuminate the bridge, and solar panels on the canopies help power them.
It was designed by Cox Rayner Architects with engineering firm Arup, and it won awards for its innovative structure. Wide decks make room for both walkers and cyclists, and shade canopies protect users from Brisbane's strong sun.
Its name comes from the Turrbal name for the South Brisbane area. The bridge forms part of a network of river crossings for walkers and cyclists, along with the Goodwill Bridge and newer green bridges built across the river.
Did You Know?
Kurilpa is often said to mean place of the water rat in the Turrbal language.