An Engineering Marvel Connecting Brisbane’s CBD and Eastern Suburbs
The Kangaroo Point Bridge, a 460-metre-long cable-stay pedestrian and cycle bridge, stands as one of the longest span bridges of its kind in the world. An initiative of Brisbane City Council, the bridge was designed and constructed by Connect Brisbane, led by BESIX Watpac.
Engineering Challenges & Innovative Lifting Strategy
Connect Brisbane enlisted heavy lift specialists Marr Contracting early in the design phase to tackle key engineering challenges, including:
- Constructing a 95-metre-tall mast, requiring installation of a 25-metre-tall, 180-tonne masthead
- Installing an M2480D tower crane on driven piles and a ballasted static base in the middle of the Brisbane River
- Minimizing disruptions to public ferries and private vessels
- Navigating the flowing tidal river with sudden flood risks
The Solution: Heavy Lift Innovation
Drawing from experience on Turkey’s 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, Marr, in collaboration with BESIX Watpac and Robert Bird Group, deployed an M2480D Heavy Lift Luffing (HLL) tower crane with a 64-metre-long boom. This approach:
- Allowed the masthead to be lifted as a single prefabricated unit, avoiding complex in-situ assembly
- Enabled large bridge sections, including mast legs and deck sections, to be lifted in fewer, heavier lifts
- Reduced on-site welding and additional works, streamlining the construction process
The Result: A Safer, More Efficient Build
Marr successfully completed 10 major lifts, ensuring the project remained on schedule and on budget.
“Our in-house engineering team identified this crane at the tender phase as the preferred lifting solution,” said Rowan Riggal, Project Director at BESIX Watpac.
By enabling a modular construction approach, Marr’s strategy enhanced safety, productivity, and cost efficiency, while also supporting local businesses in Southeast Queensland by engaging them in prefabrication and related services.
