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[COM] Re: UC: Torrens Footbridge | $40m
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 7:27 am
by rev
Waewick wrote:So after using it tonight. For 300 dsys of the year it isn't needed it is fine.
For the days it was specifically built for, to move football crowds, it isn't.
Just because some people walk slow and hold up the rest, doesn't mean there's a flaw in the design of the bridge.
I remember during the cricket, people were complaining it was over crowded. That was because there were people who decided to stop at the start and block part of the "entrance" because they were taking photos.
That pedestrian bridge over the rail lines at the MCG is much thinner then our bridge over the Torrens. Yet every time I've been to the MCG and walked over that bridge the pace has been quicker. Probably because nobody is acting like a tourist in their own town.
[COM] Re: UC: Torrens Footbridge | $40m
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 9:19 am
by Phantom
Come to think of it Rev, isn't there also quite a thin one between Southern Cross Station and Etihad Stadium, or does that lead elsewhere?
(Not that people would want to take pictures of the ugly trainline and roadway underneath... )

[COM] Re: UC: Torrens Footbridge | $40m
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 10:26 am
by Vee
rev wrote:Waewick wrote:So after using it tonight. For 300 dsys of the year it isn't needed it is fine.
For the days it was specifically built for, to move football crowds, it isn't.
Just because some people walk slow and hold up the rest, doesn't mean there's a flaw in the design of the bridge.
I remember during the cricket, people were complaining it was over crowded. That was because there were people who decided to stop at the start and block part of the "entrance" because they were taking photos.
That pedestrian bridge over the rail lines at the MCG is much thinner then our bridge over the Torrens. Yet every time I've been to the MCG and walked over that bridge the pace has been quicker. Probably because nobody is acting like a tourist in their own town.
The footbridge would have looked more like a freeway if it had been any wider. It provides a relaxing opportunity for locals and visitors to walk/saunter across the footbridge (or run) enjoy the views, take photos etc.
It copes with the big crowds at Adelaide Oval, provided folk are patient and sensible, as most are.
Before the match, the crowds arrive over a period of hours, so no issues. After the match/event, some stay behind at the Oval to watch post match celebrations, chat with friends, drink at the bars etc. before heading to the footbridge.
Yes, there is a bottleneck (standstill, shuffle) at the Memorial Drive/AO Plaza/footbridge entry post-match, especially for blockbuster games, but once on the footbridge, you can progress at an easy walking pace across the entire footbridge. The crowd then disperses in many directions eg Festival Centre, Railway Station/Casino, Blue Hive/Convention Centre walkway/Regattas.
Perhaps the general pace on the bridge will pick up during more extreme weather?
The footbridge is a pretty good compromise between the needs of the immediate post match/event crowd and the everyday user.
And it looks superb! Love that waterfall and the lighting.
[COM] Re: UC: Torrens Footbridge | $40m
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 12:43 pm
by rev
Phantom wrote:Come to think of it Rev, isn't there also quite a thin one between Southern Cross Station and Etihad Stadium, or does that lead elsewhere?
(Not that people would want to take pictures of the ugly trainline and roadway underneath... )

What about taking a photo of the MCG? Or the city in the other direction?
And yeh there's one that links Etihad to Southern Cross.
[COM] Re: UC: Torrens Footbridge | $40m
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 1:36 pm
by Honey of a City
Vee wrote:rev wrote:Waewick wrote:So after using it tonight. For 300 dsys of the year it isn't needed it is fine.
For the days it was specifically built for, to move football crowds, it isn't.
Just because some people walk slow and hold up the rest, doesn't mean there's a flaw in the design of the bridge.
I remember during the cricket, people were complaining it was over crowded. That was because there were people who decided to stop at the start and block part of the "entrance" because they were taking photos.
That pedestrian bridge over the rail lines at the MCG is much thinner then our bridge over the Torrens. Yet every time I've been to the MCG and walked over that bridge the pace has been quicker. Probably because nobody is acting like a tourist in their own town.
The footbridge would have looked more like a freeway if it had been any wider. It provides a relaxing opportunity for locals and visitors to walk/saunter across the footbridge (or run) enjoy the views, take photos etc.
It copes with the big crowds at Adelaide Oval, provided folk are patient and sensible, as most are.
Before the match, the crowds arrive over a period of hours, so no issues. After the match/event, some stay behind at the Oval to watch post match celebrations, chat with friends, drink at the bars etc. before heading to the footbridge.
Yes, there is a bottleneck (standstill, shuffle) at the Memorial Drive/AO Plaza/footbridge entry post-match, especially for blockbuster games, but once on the footbridge, you can progress at an easy walking pace across the entire footbridge. The crowd then disperses in many directions eg Festival Centre, Railway Station/Casino, Blue Hive/Convention Centre walkway/Regattas.
Perhaps the general pace on the bridge will pick up during more extreme weather?
The footbridge is a pretty good compromise between the needs of the immediate post match/event crowd and the everyday user.
And it looks superb! Love that waterfall and the lighting.
Like many other people I have a drink or two in the Lindsay Head bar after the match. From there you can see the crowds dispersing over the bridge. In 10-15 minutes upwards of 20,000 people have crossed, and the bottleneck is clear. When you look over to the parallel alternative of the City Bridge and King William Rd, there is a comparative trickle of pedestrian traffic, even with all the express busses waiting there. So many people choose to use the footbridge, and most are happy with the pace. The shuffle is part of the experience, which is always patient and good natured. As for the other "300 days" of the year - I live nearby and see that the bridge is in constant use day and night - much of the traffic is tourists and people attending the regular functions at the Oval. We should be congratulating the planners and builders. Also can't wait to see the new lights and the landscaping completed at the Festival end.
[COM] Re: UC: Torrens Footbridge | $40m
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 2:55 pm
by Phantom
rev wrote:Phantom wrote:Come to think of it Rev, isn't there also quite a thin one between Southern Cross Station and Etihad Stadium, or does that lead elsewhere?
(Not that people would want to take pictures of the ugly trainline and roadway underneath... )

What about taking a photo of the MCG? Or the city in the other direction?
And yeh there's one that links Etihad to Southern Cross.
I meant acting like a tourist and taking pictures, as you said. No one would want to do that in Docklands, as besides Etihad, there isn't much to photograph!
[COM] Re: UC: Torrens Footbridge | $40m
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 2:57 pm
by ChillyPhilly
Phantom wrote:rev wrote:Phantom wrote:Come to think of it Rev, isn't there also quite a thin one between Southern Cross Station and Etihad Stadium, or does that lead elsewhere?
(Not that people would want to take pictures of the ugly trainline and roadway underneath... )

What about taking a photo of the MCG? Or the city in the other direction?
And yeh there's one that links Etihad to Southern Cross.
I meant acting like a tourist and taking pictures, as you said. No one would want to do that in Docklands, as besides Etihad, there isn't much to photograph!
Even Etihad isn't worth photographing.
[COM] Re: UC: Torrens Footbridge | $40m
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 4:49 pm
by pushbutton
Phantom wrote:rev wrote:Phantom wrote:Come to think of it Rev, isn't there also quite a thin one between Southern Cross Station and Etihad Stadium, or does that lead elsewhere?
(Not that people would want to take pictures of the ugly trainline and roadway underneath... )

What about taking a photo of the MCG? Or the city in the other direction?
And yeh there's one that links Etihad to Southern Cross.
I meant acting like a tourist and taking pictures, as you said. No one would want to do that in Docklands, as besides Etihad, there isn't much to photograph!
There's nothing wrong with "acting like a tourist" and taking photos, but if people actually had any consideration for others they just would't do it when they can see the bridge is obviously so busy and crowded!
It's a bit like the way people drive in Adelaide. It's as if they believe they are the only person on the road. This in turn makes it very stressful and dangerous for everyone (not to mention often much slower than it should be).
[COM] Re: UC: Torrens Footbridge | $40m
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 4:58 pm
by Matt
Personally, I'm pleased Adelaide has built some things that people actually want to stop and photograph.
If it delays you from getting off the bridge by 30 seconds while they get a happy snap, so be it.
[COM] Re: UC: Torrens Footbridge | $40m
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 9:54 pm
by AdelaideAlive

- WP_20140520_001.jpg (381.99 KiB) Viewed 3386 times
sorry if the pic quality isn't the best taken from my phone
[COM] Re: UC: Torrens Footbridge | $40m
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 10:03 pm
by metro
Looks amazing!!

[COM] Re: UC: Torrens Footbridge | $40m
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 10:10 pm
by AdelaideAlive
metro wrote:Looks amazing!!

pity the lights are only on the one side of bridge by the looks of it, looks bit dull from the Morphett st view
[COM] Re: UC: Torrens Footbridge | $40m
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 10:25 pm
by Matt
Wowow
[COM] Re: UC: Torrens Footbridge | $40m
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 11:03 pm
by pushbutton
Matt wrote:Personally, I'm pleased Adelaide has built some things that people actually want to stop and photograph.
If it delays you from getting off the bridge by 30 seconds while they get a happy snap, so be it.
I agree, except that they should do that when the bridge is NOT busy so that they don't delay anyone. It's called having consideration for others.
[COM] Re: UC: Torrens Footbridge | $40m
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 11:14 pm
by ml69
AdelaideAlive wrote:metro wrote:Looks amazing!!

pity the lights are only on the one side of bridge by the looks of it, looks bit dull from the Morphett st view
That really looks fantastic!! Hope they've designed the bridge so that lighting can easily be added to the other side at a later date.
They should also light up the Morphett St bridge too with LED lighting that changes colour.
The beginnings of a fabulous riverbank precinct is taking shape, but still much more to do before it realises its full potential.