Gold Coast’s Green Bridge connecting HOTA to Chevron Island opens

The Gold Coast’s Home of the Arts (HOTA) Green Bridge, a vital gateway between HOTA and Chevron Island has opened. The $19.5 million, five metre wide Green Bridge spans 130 metres across the Nerang River and has been designed to encourage cycling and walking to reduce car dependency.

Mayor Tom Tate joined locals at a community event yesterday to celebrate the opening, describing it as a benchmark for future green bridges around the Gold Coast.

Mayor Tate noted “this bridge will serve as a vital active transport link and make our evolving cultural precinct so much more accessible – easy walking distance from Surfers Paradise and the light rail.

“People wanting to visit HOTA for a show or the gallery or go for a swim at Evandale Lake will be able to walk or cycle from Surfers Paradise or Chevron Island and arrive directly in the precinct.

“It’s a much-anticipated bridge that is giving residents and visitors easier access to enjoy the arts and the outdoors.”

Mayor Tate said the striking bridge which contains close to 500 tonnes of steel reinforcement and 1382 cubic metres of concrete also has a landing which features a fig tree relocated from within the HOTA parklands, and seating where visitors can appreciate the views across the precinct and the city skyline.

The shared path around Evandale Lake has been upgraded to provide a wider connection from the bridge to HOTA Outdoor Stage.

Mayor Tate added “I’d especially like to thank all the HOTA precinct users, Chevron Island businesses and Councillor Gary Baildon for their patience during construction.”

The green bridge represents the second major milestone in the evolving HOTA precinct. The first was the $37.5 million outdoor stage, and the third will be the delivery of the $60.5 million art gallery, due to open early 2021.

For more information on the Green Bridge at HOTA go to cityofgoldcoast.com.au/HOTAproject

Images courtesy of HOTA Facebook and City of Gold Coast