The Specifics:
Project Title: Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade River Access Pontoons
Locations: Kingsford Smith Drive on the Brisbane River
Construction Completed: March 2020
The Project Brief:
Design & construct a public pontoon and a commercial use pontoon as part of the Brisbane City Council (BCC) River Access Network.
BCC required the public pontoon to include compliance for disabled access users, low freeboard zones for passive craft, large vessel berthing on the riverside and a 50-year design life. The commercial use pontoon was required to accommodate vessels such as the iconic “Lady Brisbane”.
The Challenges:
- Design had to achieve accessibility compliance which presented challenges in terms of changing ramp gradients throughout the tidal cycle
- 50-year design life required durable materials and considerate design
- Large diameter bored piers and high strength pontoon piles founded in hard, sloping rock.
- Producing effective work with a Tier 1 contractor in a constrained public space
- Adherence to the 9-month timeframe, which included: design & engineering, fabrication, piling, onsite construction, commissioning, and handover.
The Outcomes:
The Jetty Specialist successfully designed & constructed high quality, durable aluminium pontoons for Brisbane City Council’s River Access Network upgrade. The Pontoons accommodate a range of vessels: from non-motorised craft all the way up to vessels displacing 300 tonnes.
This design incorporates:
- Brisbane’s iconic blue, white, and yellow brand identity
- High flood resilience
- Signage and decorative lighting
- Accessibility considerations
- High strength and durable aluminium pontoons, mooring piles and guide piles
The overall outcome of this project resulted in a pontoon that provides a river access point for this popular recreational area, giving tourists and residents a new way to access and interact safely with the river for years to come.