PA HOSPITAL LINKED TO BRISBANE’S EXPANDING BUSWAY NETWORK
Published Tuesday, 10 July, 2007 at 01:50 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Paul Lucas
Premier Peter Beattie today announced work would start immediately on a new section of busway linking the Princess Alexandra Hospital into Brisbane’s rapidly expanding busway network.
“In the short term, the new, $137.8 million section will connect Princess Alexandra Hospital with the South-East Busway and slash 3-10 minutes from a bus journey from the hospital to the City,” Mr Beattie said.
“But the new section is also an important ‘missing link’ in a much bigger picture.
“It is a critical piece of infrastructure to be incorporated into the proposed eastern busway that will ultimately link Capalaba with the Eleanor Schonell Bridge at the University of Queensland.”
Mr Beattie said construction on the Princess Alexandra Hospital section had been brought forward to take advantage of the work now underway on City Hall’s North South Bypass Tunnel.
“By building the busway on the back of the North South Bypass Tunnel we not only shorten potential disruption to local residents and motorists, but also save taxpayers up to $27 million in construction costs.
"The first section of Brisbane’s busway network between the CBD and Woolloongabba opened in September 2000 to coincide with the first match of the Olympic Games Football Tournament at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.
“We have now completed 19.3 kilometres of the proposed 54.8 kilometre network planned by 2026,” Mr Beattie said.
“A further 2.8 kilometres of busway is presently under construction, including the 1.5 kilometre stretch of busway west of the PA Hospital linking Boggo Road to the Eleanor Schonell Bridge – a section that will link with the 600 metre Princess Alexandra Hospital section that begins construction this week.
“Brisbane commuters have really taken to improvements in the Translink system. In the past three years patronage has grown by 30 per cent, representing an extra 40 million trips on public transport during that time.
“This growth in patronage on public transport has outstripped population growth by five to one.
“My Government is busily building the new Queensland,” Mr Beattie said.
“We are now finalising plans for the 17 kilometre Eastern Busway corridor from Capalaba to Buranda and expect to announce a firm construction timetable for the Buranda to Bridgewater Creek section by the end of the year.
“My government is putting in place the infrastructure to ease traffic congestion and reduce Brisbane’s carbon footprint by making public transport a realistic alternative.
“We’re building a fast and seamless busway system, which will be envy of other Australian cities,” Mr Beattie said.
Transport Minister Paul Lucas said the plans for the Princess Alexandra section announced today included an elevated busway station at the Hospital, an overpass over Ipswich Road, and a tunnel beneath the Cleveland rail line and Pacific Motorway.
“The tunnel under the motorway will plug into the South East Busway at Buranda and is being prioritised to coincide with the North South Bypass Tunnel,” Mr Lucas said.
“Work on the latest project is due to start this week with the relocation of services and excavation at Harrogate Street adjacent to the Pacific Motorway.
“Construction is already in full swing between the PA Hospital and the former Boggo Road Jail.
“The entire link from the South East Busway to the Eleanor Schonell Bridge is expected to be finished by late 2009 with the part between the bridge and the hospital open for business by mid 2009,” Mr Lucas said.
Media contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Minister’s office: 3237 1942
10 July 2007
“In the short term, the new, $137.8 million section will connect Princess Alexandra Hospital with the South-East Busway and slash 3-10 minutes from a bus journey from the hospital to the City,” Mr Beattie said.
“But the new section is also an important ‘missing link’ in a much bigger picture.
“It is a critical piece of infrastructure to be incorporated into the proposed eastern busway that will ultimately link Capalaba with the Eleanor Schonell Bridge at the University of Queensland.”
Mr Beattie said construction on the Princess Alexandra Hospital section had been brought forward to take advantage of the work now underway on City Hall’s North South Bypass Tunnel.
“By building the busway on the back of the North South Bypass Tunnel we not only shorten potential disruption to local residents and motorists, but also save taxpayers up to $27 million in construction costs.
"The first section of Brisbane’s busway network between the CBD and Woolloongabba opened in September 2000 to coincide with the first match of the Olympic Games Football Tournament at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.
“We have now completed 19.3 kilometres of the proposed 54.8 kilometre network planned by 2026,” Mr Beattie said.
“A further 2.8 kilometres of busway is presently under construction, including the 1.5 kilometre stretch of busway west of the PA Hospital linking Boggo Road to the Eleanor Schonell Bridge – a section that will link with the 600 metre Princess Alexandra Hospital section that begins construction this week.
“Brisbane commuters have really taken to improvements in the Translink system. In the past three years patronage has grown by 30 per cent, representing an extra 40 million trips on public transport during that time.
“This growth in patronage on public transport has outstripped population growth by five to one.
“My Government is busily building the new Queensland,” Mr Beattie said.
“We are now finalising plans for the 17 kilometre Eastern Busway corridor from Capalaba to Buranda and expect to announce a firm construction timetable for the Buranda to Bridgewater Creek section by the end of the year.
“My government is putting in place the infrastructure to ease traffic congestion and reduce Brisbane’s carbon footprint by making public transport a realistic alternative.
“We’re building a fast and seamless busway system, which will be envy of other Australian cities,” Mr Beattie said.
Transport Minister Paul Lucas said the plans for the Princess Alexandra section announced today included an elevated busway station at the Hospital, an overpass over Ipswich Road, and a tunnel beneath the Cleveland rail line and Pacific Motorway.
“The tunnel under the motorway will plug into the South East Busway at Buranda and is being prioritised to coincide with the North South Bypass Tunnel,” Mr Lucas said.
“Work on the latest project is due to start this week with the relocation of services and excavation at Harrogate Street adjacent to the Pacific Motorway.
“Construction is already in full swing between the PA Hospital and the former Boggo Road Jail.
“The entire link from the South East Busway to the Eleanor Schonell Bridge is expected to be finished by late 2009 with the part between the bridge and the hospital open for business by mid 2009,” Mr Lucas said.
Media contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Minister’s office: 3237 1942
10 July 2007