Build a bridge?

With tunnels at the fore of many a media headline in and around Brisbane it seems that these technically challenging, election-winning and resource sapping projects are the "project du jour". To many they may be a just a hole in the ground, however you can't go past the sheer size, complexity and ROI gained from such mega-projects as the Big Dig in Boston, Massachusetts which will carry nearly 250,000 vehicles per day in just the tunnel component. Closer to home, the former North-South Bypass Tunnel, now named the Clem Jones Tunnel after the former Lord Mayor of Brisbane promises much faster, safer and reliable transport across Brisbane by avoiding some 18 sets of traffic lights.

So with bridges no longer having a monopoly of getting people from A to B across a waterway, more innovative and aesthetically appealing bridges are being developed as a focal point and architectural landmark; obviously this has moved on some since the days of decorative bridges with no real function,with structures like the Millau Viaductshowcasing outstanding structural design as well as architectural marvel (even eclipsing our own "Coathanger" ), Norman Foster has set a very high bench mark. In South East Queensland we have the Gateway Upgrade Project, which will drastically improve traffic flow around Brisbane without being too displeasing to the eye. Let's not forget the many thousands of essential bridge projects that happen away from the public eye, often with little pomp and ceremony, within much larger projects such as Trackstar, Horizon Alliance, numerous mining projects and even the much-heralded Clem Jones Tunnel with its 18 bridges, providing a cost effective and arguably, more elegant solution to yet more tunnels.

So whilst tunnels are making the headlines, the multitude of bridge projects underway is the silent, yet crucial key to our long term infrastructure problems - and they look a whole lot prettier than a hole in the ground.

By Simone Moore, Director