CITY CYCLING LINK OPENED
Published Sunday, 30 September, 2007 at 09:00 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
A vital link in Brisbane’s city bikeways opened today with cyclists converging at the Roma Street Parklands to celebrate the opening of the $17.1 million Normanby Pedestrian and Cycle Link.
The Normanby section is the final link in the inner city network, which will allow cyclists and other users to enjoy dedicated car-free pathways within a 37 kilometre radius of the CBD.
“The new link is vital as it joins the Brisbane CBD with the inner northern, southern and western suburbs. It includes a tunnel under College Road between Roma Street Parklands and the existing bikeway along Victoria Park,” Premier Anna Bligh said.
“The Normanby project is the final link in a network of paths that will allow people to walk, jog and cycle through the CBD to New Farm, West End, Kelvin Grove on onto hundreds of kilometers of other cycleways.
“The elevated project provides a shared pathway from the College Road underpass through Roma Street Parklands, with connections to Roma and Albert Streets.
Premier Bligh said the pathway is fitted with closed-circuit television cameras monitored by the parkland's 24-hour security team for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists and is accessible to people with a disability.
“The Normanby Link will be a boost for the many thousands of people who are making exercise a daily part of their routine,” Ms Bligh said.
“It is particularly important as it will be a link to the King George Square Cycle Centre, an end-of-trip facility for cyclists, runners and walkers that is under construction as part of the Inner Northern Busway development.
"The Normanby Link is part of a 20-year plan for a regional cycleway network that commits $235 million to the construction of cycle and pedestrian infrastructure throughout south east Queensland," she said.
The link also has a water-efficient garden at the southern end, and all storm water collected along the route will be recycled to irrigate the parklands.
Transport Minister John Mickel said construction of the Normanby Pedestrian and Cycle Link began a year ago after two years of planning and consultation.
"To add to the attractiveness of cycling to the inner city, the King George Square Cycle Centre that is being built will provide secure bicycle parking, lockers, showers and bike maintenance for the public," he said.
The minister also announced funding of $24.2 million for more infrastructure on the south east Queensland regional cycle network by June 30 next year.
Mr Mickel said that in all, 51 projects had been approved for this financial year.
They included more bikeways and bikeway connections, improved signage, lighting and related infrastructure worth $9.7million worth in the Greater Brisbane Region, $7 million for the Gold Coast, $4.25 million for Ipswich, $4 million for the Sunshine Coast
"The Queensland Government has funded 33 cycling projects since 2005-06 and work is now beginning on these further 51 projects," Mr Mickel said.
"The network will link people with local attractions and activity centres through quality pathways shared by cyclists and pedestrians.
"The bikeways will pass through some of the most spectacular areas of the beautiful south east, making them a drawcard for tourists as well as local residents.
"The funding also provides for route signage to help bikeway users find their way around the system to activity centres, employment areas, shops, schools, public transport and other destinations," he said.
September 30, 2007
Media information:
Premiers contact: Wendy George – 3224 4500
Minister Mickel contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944
The Normanby section is the final link in the inner city network, which will allow cyclists and other users to enjoy dedicated car-free pathways within a 37 kilometre radius of the CBD.
“The new link is vital as it joins the Brisbane CBD with the inner northern, southern and western suburbs. It includes a tunnel under College Road between Roma Street Parklands and the existing bikeway along Victoria Park,” Premier Anna Bligh said.
“The Normanby project is the final link in a network of paths that will allow people to walk, jog and cycle through the CBD to New Farm, West End, Kelvin Grove on onto hundreds of kilometers of other cycleways.
“The elevated project provides a shared pathway from the College Road underpass through Roma Street Parklands, with connections to Roma and Albert Streets.
Premier Bligh said the pathway is fitted with closed-circuit television cameras monitored by the parkland's 24-hour security team for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists and is accessible to people with a disability.
“The Normanby Link will be a boost for the many thousands of people who are making exercise a daily part of their routine,” Ms Bligh said.
“It is particularly important as it will be a link to the King George Square Cycle Centre, an end-of-trip facility for cyclists, runners and walkers that is under construction as part of the Inner Northern Busway development.
"The Normanby Link is part of a 20-year plan for a regional cycleway network that commits $235 million to the construction of cycle and pedestrian infrastructure throughout south east Queensland," she said.
The link also has a water-efficient garden at the southern end, and all storm water collected along the route will be recycled to irrigate the parklands.
Transport Minister John Mickel said construction of the Normanby Pedestrian and Cycle Link began a year ago after two years of planning and consultation.
"To add to the attractiveness of cycling to the inner city, the King George Square Cycle Centre that is being built will provide secure bicycle parking, lockers, showers and bike maintenance for the public," he said.
The minister also announced funding of $24.2 million for more infrastructure on the south east Queensland regional cycle network by June 30 next year.
Mr Mickel said that in all, 51 projects had been approved for this financial year.
They included more bikeways and bikeway connections, improved signage, lighting and related infrastructure worth $9.7million worth in the Greater Brisbane Region, $7 million for the Gold Coast, $4.25 million for Ipswich, $4 million for the Sunshine Coast
"The Queensland Government has funded 33 cycling projects since 2005-06 and work is now beginning on these further 51 projects," Mr Mickel said.
"The network will link people with local attractions and activity centres through quality pathways shared by cyclists and pedestrians.
"The bikeways will pass through some of the most spectacular areas of the beautiful south east, making them a drawcard for tourists as well as local residents.
"The funding also provides for route signage to help bikeway users find their way around the system to activity centres, employment areas, shops, schools, public transport and other destinations," he said.
September 30, 2007
Media information:
Premiers contact: Wendy George – 3224 4500
Minister Mickel contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944