right|thumb|200px|View of the Lower North Bank from the Goodwill Bridge

right|thumb|200px|View of the South Bank from the Goodwill Bridge

The Goodwill Bridge is a pedestrian and cyclist bridge which spans the Brisbane River in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The bridge connects the South Bank Parklands in South Brisbane to Gardens Point in the Brisbane CBD.

The Goodwill Bridge was opened on 21 October 2001 and takes its name from the Goodwill Games, which were held in Brisbane that year. The bridge does not carry any motorised traffic — it is shared by pedestrians, cyclists and inline skaters.

Structure

Two main components of The Goodwill Bridge are the pavilion and the arch. The pavilion is located in the middle of the Brisbane River between the arch and the city approach. It is a fundamental component of the pedestrian and cycle bridge and supports one end of the arch. The arch is

in length, wide and high and weighs .

Specifications

  • Width:
  • Height: Clearance for River Vessels from high water level to the bridge deck (same height as Victoria and Captain Cook bridges)
  • Arch: in length, wide and high
  • Bridge Deck: The bridge deck wearing surface is concrete with a broom finish to provide a safe foothold. It incorporates coloured concrete and applied finish bandings which signify areas where caution is required.
  • Security: Six closed circuit TV cameras are spread across the bridge and are monitored from the South Bank Security Control Room.
  • Architects: Cox Rayner
  • Design Engineer: Ove Arup and Partners Four strategically positioned platforms and the pavilion-viewing platform provide rest points for pedestrians and cyclists. With exception of cables, all materials utilised in the construction of the arch and the pavilions were sourced from local suppliers.

Controversy arose during the construction of the bridge over its growing cost, and a subsequent budgetary blow-out which resulted in the use of $20.3 million in government funds. The bridge was scheduled to be opened by Queen Elizabeth II during her visit for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting summit to be held in Brisbane, but after the postponement of that meeting and change of venue to Coolum on the Sunshine Coast in the wake of the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, the bridge was instead opened by Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie.