Motorists must be priority in Hale St Bridge Talks

A high-level meeting to resolve the gridlock over Brisbane City Council's Hale Street Bridge proposal had been positive, Acting Premier Paul Lucas said today.

Queensland's Coordinator-General Colin Jensen met with senior Main Roads and council staff for more than an hour this morning to discuss traffic management plans for the proposed project. Council Transport Chairman Cr Graham Quirk also attended the meeting after requesting to do so.

"The Coordinator-General has advised me the talks were positive, with Council and Main Roads both willing to work with him to reduce congestion stemming from project construction," Mr Lucas said.

“Less than 24 hours after I asked the Coordinator-General to become involved in this issue, he’s already met with the relevant parties and begun reviewing information

"Council outlined to him its traffic management plans, which it says would mean 50-minute delays for each trip on Milton Road and 80 minutes a day on Coronation Drive across the project's two-year construction timeframe.

"Main Roads has also provided information on extra measures it believes could reduce delays.

"The Coordinator-General has also asked Council for information on how it advised Brisbane residents of these 50 and 80-minute delays during its public consultation process on the proposal.

"It may be that Council did tell motorists of these delays and has information that residents are prepared to bear them. That's not yet clear.

"Hale Street Bridge is an important project, and the State Government is willing to work with Council to help them deliver it - our track record of working together is good.

"But travelers – in cars and buses – have to be the priority. We need to know if they are prepared to endure these lengthy delays during the building of the Hale Street Bridge project."

Mr Lucas said the Coordinator-General would study the material provided to him ahead of another meeting with all parties on Friday.

He said it was too early to say what further steps the State Government would take if the issue could not be resolved.

“Both the Lord Mayor and I want this project built to the best design,” Mr Lucas said.

“This shouldn't be a political issue - but nor should the final result lead to unacceptable commuting times for Brisbane travellers.”


Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868