The bridge’s closure from Sunday, January 24, will be a milestone in the council’s makeover of Brisbane’s inner city from a place dependent on cars to move around to one dominated by turn-up-and-go services like the Metro as well as bike and pedestrian friendly streetscapes.

Schrinner today released images showing how the council plans to widen footpaths and cycleways on Adelaide St, Victoria Bridge and around the Cultural Centre as part of the project.

The Brisbane Metro project will give Brisbane a 21 km transit connection from Eight Mile Plains to Roma Street, and Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital to University of Queensland.

The closure of the Victoria Bridge will mean general traffic between the city and South Brisbane or West End will need to use the William Jolly Bridge or the tolled Go Between Bridge. Local residents can access a toll subsidy to help them cope with the change.

Schrinner’s transport strategy for inner Brisbane focuses on moving residents away from their reliance on cars to move around and instead developing cross-city links for high-speed, high-capacity options like the Brisbane Metro.

The council insists such options are the most effective way for moving large numbers of people to employment areas such as the CBD, inner city and major activity centres.

Schrinner said the project would include a new two-way cycleway on the Victoria Bridge which will run alongside dedicated pedestrian pathways, with three lanes for Brisbane Metro and bus services.

“The Cultural Centre Station will also be upgraded to deliver a new people-friendly gateway to the Cultural Forecourt with wider footpaths, landscaping and improved pedestrian connectivity,” he said.

Early works to guide the Adelaide Street tunnelling and construction activities at the depot facility at Rochedale would “ramp up” ahead of major construction getting underway later in the year.