Brisbane’s North Side Tunnel Plan Bites with Congestion and Development

Brisbane Mayor Adrian Schreiner is due to release details on Tuesday, but studies and proposals have already been discussed by the Civic Cabinet, ruling out developments along the corridor.

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Extensive documentation including business cases is also provided to Infrastructure Australia and the Queensland Government.

Shriner has not yet commented on the research or proposals, but announced the addition of Brisbane Metro cars on Monday, saying:

The former Labor State Government had planned additional bus lanes for the corridor and a potential western bypass tunnel under its original West Brisbane Transport Network Strategy.

The latest research also points to the possibility of another tunnel from Everton Park to Toowong, similar to one previously investigated by the Labor State government. It connects with the Western Freeway and the Legacy Way.

Andrew Wines, chairman of the Brisbane City Council’s infrastructure committee, said the growing cost of congestion and environmental concerns means there was no other option but to go underground.

“This study shows that the economic cost of congestion in north Brisbane will be a staggering $1.5 million per day within 10 years, which is totally unacceptable,” said Wines. said. Brisbane Times.

“Brisbane is the fastest growing capital city in the country, and so are its northern neighbors in Moreton Bay who are considering alternatives to the Bruce Highway.

“This study should start a dialogue between all levels of government and the private sector about options to help northern commuters get home faster and safer.”

A preserved corridor between Gympie Road in Carseldine and Shand Street in Alderley was identified in the 1980s and has remained largely vacant since.

However, the survey found many endangered species in the park along the original Trauts Road route from Stafford to Carseldin. These are the large Charmside Hills Reserve, Downfall Creek Bush Reserve, Mine Hill Reserve and Alderley’s Sparks Hill Reserve.

These environmental concerns rule out original plans to transform Trauts Road into a four-lane highway between Alderley and Carseldyne, first considered in the 1960s.

With the prospect of a highway running between bushland and housing estates, and community concerns about diverting local traffic, recent federal, state and legislative campaigns had the future of this corridor under discussion. .

Studies show that the proposed underground highway will reduce traffic on Transervan’s existing Airport Link and Legacy Way toll tunnels by 11-31% by 2041.

However, there will be less traffic on the main northern highway. Includes Gympie Road (35% less traffic by 2041) and Wardell Street (23% less traffic by 2041).

The long-term plan is to increase bus lanes on these highways.

RACQ’s 2021 Congestion Report Data released in February 2022 shows that roads in Stafford, Old Northern, South Pine, Road and Hamilton slow down to mid-30km/h at peak hours, taking several minutes to travel.