Premier Campbell Newman recently announced the Underground Bus and Train project, a 5.4 km tunnel for Brisbane with two train lines in the lower section and two busway lanes in the upper section.
This project will double the number of trains across the Merivale Bridge, take up to 200 buses off CBD streets in the morning peak and reduce 100 buses per morning peak hour on the Captain Cook Bridge.
“We’ve taken two of Brisbane’s major congestion challenges – the Merivale train bridge and the Cultural Centre bus precinct – and come up with an affordable and elegant solution.
“The project we are announcing delivers the public transport services needed for the next 50 years.
“A single 15-metre-wide tunnel will be built, requiring the largest borer ever used in Australia – almost two metres wider than the Clem7 and Airport Link tunnels.”
Treasurer Tim Nicholls said the tunnel would go underground at Dutton Park in the south to Victoria Park in the north, via new stations at Woolloongabba, George St and Roma St.
“This will be a major economic boost, creating hundreds of jobs and new pathways for business to grow and develop in Brisbane,” Mr Nicholls said.
The project will now pass to the Coordinator-General to assess the environmental impacts. Resumptions will include Dutton Park train station, however only minor impacts on other properties are expected.
Early works are expected to start in 2015 and be completed by 2021. Further information will be available at the Department of Transport and Main Roads website.
Transport Minister Scott Emerson said a number of procurement opportunities were already on the Queensland Government’s e-tender site, with more coming in the next few months.