Riverbank Pedestrian Bridge

Adelaide, Australia

Bridges + Traffic Construction

Architects: TCL

Location: Adelaide, Australia
Year: 2014

Built on the land of the Kaurna people.

Taylor Cullity Lethlean (TCL), Aurecon and Tonkin Zulaikha Greer were engaged in 2012 to design the new Riverbank Precinct Pedestrian Bridge, following a design competition run by the South Australian Government Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI).

The Riverbank Pedestrian Bridge provides a vital connection between the city’s highly visited Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide Railway Station and the recently redeveloped Adelaide Oval. The 255 meter long bridge was constructed by McConnell Dowell and arcs over the Torrens, connecting two key destination points on the north and south banks. The upgraded connection points provide activated destinations at each end of the bridge, with interactive elements including lighing and water features.

The design team worked with Cultural Consultant, Karl Telfer from Cultural Research Education and Design (CRED) to facilitate local indigenous links and storytelling within the project. The south landing hosts a stainless steel artwork where subtle traces of animals etched into the surface of the steel can be seen by day, and representations of the southern constellations can be seen by night.

The completion of the Riverbank Precinct Pedestrian Bridge invites opportunities for revitalising the parts of the city that connect to this precinct.