Port Adelaide is set to witness a significant transformation with the construction of a multi-million-dollar footbridge that will connect both sides of the dock, enhancing accessibility for residents and the community.
South Australian builder BluBuilt, based in Largs North, has been awarded the contract to design and construct the 80-meter footbridge as part of the Dock One waterfront housing development, ushering in a new era for the inner harbour.
The Dock One project, a 750-home master planned community, is currently underway, and the footbridge will serve as a vital link between the two sides of the development. Renewal SA led the successful tender process and chose BluBuilt to deliver this ambitious project.
“We recognise the rapidly transforming Port precinct needs the right infrastructure in place to support its growing population,” Minister for Housing and Urban Development Nick Champion says.
“Delivering this bridge is a vital component of the Dock One development, as more residents call the waterfront home and build their wider community.”
The jetty-style footbridge will be located at the western end of Dock One, offering a pedestrian and cyclist connection from Port Adelaide’s bustling retail hub to the emerging maritime heritage precinct at Dock Two.
Besides facilitating access to the surrounding areas, the bridge will also improve connections to public transport along St Vincent Street, benefiting current and future residents on either side of Dock One.
“This important development will greatly enhance connectivity and activate the entire area, supporting growth in the west and benefiting residents and visitors alike,” City of Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Claire Boan says.
In addition to its role in enhancing connectivity, the new footbridge will be a central feature of Dock One, which is expected to provide a substantial housing boost to Adelaide’s western region and support the high-skilled worker population required for the AUKUS submarine program, to be based near Port Adelaide.
BluBuilt’s low-profile and low-maintenance design was selected for its seamless integration with the current promenade and surrounding landscape, aligning with community needs while preserving waterfront views for residents. The bridge will also have adequate clearance for small vessels, such as kayaks and dinghies, to pass underneath.
The joint funding for the footbridge comes from Renewal SA and Adelaide-based developer Kite Projects, which is responsible for the Dock One development. Construction of the footbridge is set to commence in mid-next year, creating over 120 jobs during its implementation. To further boost local employment, BluBuilt will collaborate with Port Adelaide subcontractor Maritime Constructions, responsible for constructing the bridge’s piles.
Port Adelaide’s waterfront is poised for a complete transformation, with Kite Projects also undertaking the construction of an 8-meter-wide waterfront promenade from the footbridge. The promenade will envelop the eastern side of the Port River and extend beneath the Port River Expressway to the City of Adelaide Clipper Ship, enhancing the area’s appeal as a tourism hotspot.
BluBuilt, known for its impressive track record on projects such as the Minda Dunes Coast Park at North Brighton, Sturt River Pedestrian Bridges, and Hall Crescent Boardwalks, is expected to deliver an exceptional footbridge that will shape the future of Port Adelaide.
“We expect that this jetty-style design, whilst understated, will be a drawcard, in a similar way that the Granite Island Causeway or the Busselton Jetty are,” BluBuilt General Manager Owen Richards says.
With construction set to begin soon, the footbridge is anticipated to open to the public by late 2024, coinciding with the completion of Stage 4 civil and building works on the northern side of the Dock One development.
For more information visit ourport.com.au
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