Russell Island bridge to the mainland

[admin]

Is a bridge between Russell Island and the mainland really needed ?

[DavidVance]

Yes:
Bridge to the SMBI, then by whatever (smaller bridges, foot/cycle bridges, ferries, towed floating platform, .....) to North Stradbroke Island for ecotourism and recreation.
Parking problem.
Population growth.
Convenience.
Services including aged medical care access.

[markuspd]

I have worked on russell over the years and now own a block there.
IMO a bridge will happen due to the population growth over there but when is the question.
I had an idea that a moped/bike/cart bridge would be most useful as it would encourage people to ride and would mean that the island would not get spoilt by too many visitors, also with the price of petrol these days I am sure it would encourage most residents to buy a bike or moped, I am sure that people would pay a toll no problem, you could even incorporate some small efficient form of passenger transport similar to a golf buggy.
Surely that would cost far less and would not need a huge upgrade of the road to the highway as the full road bridge required.

[admin]

A moped / bike bridge is not a bad idea.

Where do you think the ideal bridge end locations should be ?

[markuspd]

I looked at a google map and from the south west of russell around rocky point over to santa barbara road at cabbage tree point.
It would need to be roughly 1.5 ks long.

[admin]

Interesting thought.

A negative and a positive on this...

2 Councils to share the cost, Gold Coast for the Santa Barbara end, and Redland for the Russell Island end.

But 2 councils to argue over it...

When councils get involved, I truly think that costs normally double.
I wonder if it could be quoted without council involvement ?

Just to clarify, I am no expert in any shape or form on these things, I just like to get people talking, and hope the right people see things and do the right things.

[markuspd]

I wonder if you could get permission somehow to have the bridge privately funded and then find someone to finance it and recoup thier money through a toll?.
I often thought about this but I run a business and don`t have the time to investigate it further right now, I think the idea could catch on as the barges would still get thier business, also the watertaxis would still be busy, especially with the population growing so fast.

[rose]

I  am for a bridge to Russell Island, this would enable those land owners to have easy access to their properties also would give greater access to medical services on the mainland.  Bribie Island is one place that has gone ahead in leaps and bounds since it was bridged years ago.