New RiverWalk link connects 20km of pathways
01 June, 2010
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman has opened a major missing link in the RiverWalk network of pathways between Teneriffe and Cutters Landing, delivering benefits to cyclists and pedestrians in New Farm and across the city.
Cr Newman said the $2.2 million project delivered better pedestrian and cycling mobility along the Brisbane River and was delivered on time and under budget (was estimated to cost $2.6 million).
“With the completion of this missing link Brisbane residents now have access to more than 20km of existing pathway as part of the RiverWalk network,” he said.
“This new bikeway is part of my commitment to invest $100 million in new bikeway infrastructure across this Council term to help people get connected and get active.
“This important missing link in the bikeway network was put in the ‘too hard basket’ by previous Labor administrations however through our program of record investment it is now constructed.”
Cr Newman said Brisbane had about 985km of on and off-road pathways yet one in two car trips in Australian cities were less than 5km.
“That is why projects such as this, which complete missing links in our networks, are so important,” he said.
“By creating a connected network of pathways we are encouraging cycling as an alternative to the private car and reducing congestion.
“Bikes are becoming a more and more popular form of transport and the number of people cycling to work in Brisbane increased by 12.6 per cent between 2001 and 2006.”
Cr Newman said the project cost a total of $2.2 million due to the complexity of the engineering and construction task needed to complete this link.
The project involved constructing a new three metre wide shared pathway along the river from Cutters Landing to the existing New Farm Park at the Powerhouse.
He said the 300 metre shared pathway connected cyclists and pedestrians to more than 20 kilometres of existing RiverWalk pathways, roads, bridges and riverside parks.
The RiverWalk Cutters Landing – New Farm project would also be an important route for Brisbane residents using the CityCycle Bicycle Hire Scheme by the end of the year.
