A team led by Aspect Studios has been selected as the winner of a design competition for a cycleway on Sydney’s Harbour Bridge.
The team, which also includes Collins and Turner, Yerrabingin, Design 5 Architects, Eckersley O’Callaghan, JMT Consulting and Electrolight, was shortlisted for the project in December 2021.
Heritage-listed structures, like the Milsons Point Station entrance, will be retained.
Image: Doug and Wolf
The winning design consists of a “serpentine” cycleway that is “light, fluid and transparent,” Aspect director Sacha Coles said.
The design was selected for its sensitive approach to the existing surrounds and infrastructure. Progress on the designs had previously been stalled due to community concerns over the impact of a proposed cycleway on parkland neighbouring the bridge and the potential felling of existing trees.
“The cycleway touches the ground onto an existing path, minimising the requirement for additional hard surfaces and preserving all existing trees,” Aspect Studio said. The ramp alignment is designed to match the viaduct, leaving the parkland free from interference.
Around 2,000 cyclists use the Harbour Bridge cycleway each weekday.
Image: Doug and Wolf
The Sydney Harbour Bridge recently celebrated its 90th anniversary, and Aspect said their design will “retain the legibility” of any heritage-listed structures, like the Milsons Point Station entrance and the Burton Street arch.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway is reportedly the most heavily used in the city, and a new northern onramp will improve access, reduce congestion and improve safety for the 2,000 cyclists that cross the bridge daily. Currently cyclists are forced to dismount and climb 55 steps to get on to the bridge.
The design team will now move to the concept and detailed design stage of project, with construction expected to start in 2023.
