The new eastern entry walkway has officially opened, improving access for the thousands who will cross the new elevated platform each day.
The eastern walkway is part of a $5.2 million revitalisation of the main thoroughfare connecting the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Lakes Busway, the and the new CityCat terminal with the central St Lucia campus.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ Property and Facilities Director Alan Egan said the majority of people coming to Â鶹ÊÓƵ now arrived via the eastern entrance.
“During the teaching period there are more than 40,000 trips to and from Â鶹ÊÓƵ each day,” Mr Egan said.
“Half of the people who catch public transport, cycle or walk, cross the Eleanor Schonell bridge and then the new walkway.”
The 180-metre walkway, designed by , features solar panels to help power the campus and an elevator to assist those with limited mobility.
New walkway drone footage from on .
Â鶹ÊÓƵ transport systems manager Mr Mark Kranz said the advent of new infrastructure had changed the demographics of surrounding suburbs.
“Surveys we have conducted have found that, since the building of the Eleanor Schonell Bridge, more Â鶹ÊÓƵ students and staff have moved to suburbs such as Dutton Park and Fairfield,” Mr Kranz said.
“Having a walkway like this not only makes the commute to the St Lucia campus easier, but it encourages people to catch public transport or to walk.”
The area surrounding the elevated path has been reinvigorated with the planting of more than a dozen native trees, new garden beds and 2000 square metres of turf.
The , which built the CityCat terminal, contributed $750,000 to the walkway project.
The walkway was opened today at a function attended by:
- Councillor Julian Simmonds, Councillor for Walter Taylor Ward
- Mr John Story AO, Chancellor, Â鶹ÊÓƵ
- Mr Maurie McNarn AO, Chief Operating Officer, Â鶹ÊÓƵ
- Mr Michael Rayner, Director, Cox Rayner Architects
- Mr Joe Morgan, Brisbane City Council
- Mr Nick Gardner, Managing Director, FKG Group
Media: Casey Fung +617 3346 7887, c.fung@uq.edu.au
