PROJECT OF THE YEAR
BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL – KINGSFORD SMITH DRIVE UPGRADE The Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade was much more than a road project - it transformed one of the Brisbane’s most significant and historically rich routes into a vibrant urban corridor with the Brisbane River as the centrepiece. The upgrade involved widening the existing road from four to six lanes which reduced congestion along the corridor and improved local amenity and access for all road users, including cyclists, pedestrians and public transport users. A key feature of the upgrade is the subtropical tree-line boulevard which creates a new entry statement to the city. • More than 1.3 million pedestrians and cyclists have now used the 1.2km riverside Lores Bonney Riverwalk. • remodelled Cameron Rocks Reserve with the WW1 war memorial as its centrepiece (opened April 2019) • new Bretts Wharf plaza • new Recreation Hub – public pontoon with various freeboard heights to suit different sized vessels • six lane median-divided roadway. Planning In 2009, Council started planning
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the upgrade from Harvey Street, Eagle Farm to Breakfast Creek Road, Albion, to reduce congestion during peak hours and improve traffic flow and road safety. Delivery was planned in three stages with signalised intersections approaching and/ or exceeding capacity, traffic queuing and delays were a regular occurrence with minor traffic incidents causing long delays and extensive congestion on the surrounding road network. Stage 1, between Harvey Street and Theodore Street, was constructed between January 2010 and June 2011. The road was widened into the centre median. The Stage 2 project extents were between Theodore Street and Riverview Terrace and Stage 3 widened KSD into the Brisbane River from Riverview Terrace to Breakfast Creek Road. Feasibility studies for stages 2 and 3 started in 2009. Council investigated several options including six and eight lane road
ENGINEERING FOR PUBLIC WORKS | DEC 2021
widenings, tunnels, intersection upgrades and viaducts. A multicriteria assessment was used to assess the various options. The assessment considered a range of factors including traffic congestion, public transport, road safety, amenity, visual impacts, flooding, environmental impacts, and cost. Between November 2010 and January 2011, Council shared its five preferred options with the community, requesting feedback. The shortlisted options were: 1. Retaining wall in the river 2. Partial upgrade – upgrading the corridor is sections 3. Elevated structure over the river 4. Double storey tunnel – (eight lanes) 5. Side-by-side tunnel – (eight lanes) Having considered the range of factors along with community feedback, Council announced its preferred option in April 2011. Preliminary design of the
