Plan revealed for new northside road tunnel

• Queensland Investment Corporation to oversee $35 million study on potential toll tunnel from Kedron to Carseldine
• Offers seamless link from Bruce Hwy to Legacy Way, Clem 7, M1 and Centenary Hwy
• At around 7km, only 2/3 the distance of proposed North-West Transport Corridor

The Palaszczuk Government will invest $35 million in a detailed investment proposal towards building a congestion-busting road tunnel between Kedron and Carseldine in Brisbane’s north.

The proposal will be led by a new entity, North Brisbane Infrastructure, which will be established through the Queensland Investment Corporation.

North Brisbane Infrastructure will undertake detailed transport modelling, technical assessments and financial analysis as part of this process.

The analysis will also consider the interaction of the proposed tunnel with public and active transport needs and opportunities along the corridor.

Quotes attributable to Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick:

“This detailed investment proposal is a clear demonstration of how our Government is planning for Queensland’s future growth.

“This is new solution proposed for a long-established challenge – easing congestion through Brisbane’s north.

“As a world-leader in funds management, the Queensland Investment Corporation has nearly $30 billion worth of infrastructure assets under management.

“It has the expertise to give us the clearest answer in the shortest time to decide whether a Gympie Road toll tunnel stacks up.

“Forecast population growth on the Sunshine Coast and in the Moreton Bay region will increase traffic into Brisbane, so now is the right time to do this work.

“Based on Brisbane’s most recent road tunnel projects, from this point the tunnel could potentially be built within about eight years if it stacks up.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey

“A Gympie Road Bypass solution would complement the works currently underway to bust congestion and improve connectivity as part of the Northern Transitway from Kedron to Chermside.

“The investment proposal will also consider active transport, which we know is an important option for the future.

“This kind of forward planning is a key part of the Palaszczuk Government’s significant road and transport investment.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Aspley Bart Mellish

“Locals tell me they don’t want to see a new road constructed on the Trouts Road corridor, which would effectively cut our northside community in two, and I agree with them.

“This is the simplest, most effective and least disruptive solution to Gympie Road gridlock.

“I’ve been pushing for a fix to Gympie Road Gridlock for long time - and I’m thrilled that we’ve now got a real solution on the table.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd

“More and more people are recognising Pine Rivers as a great area to raise a family, but the lack of an efficient corridor to the city and beyond can make the commute unsustainable.

“A new tunnel under Gympie Road would unblock across Brisbane’s north.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Stafford Jimmy Sullivan.

“Gympie Road is being forced to function as both a highway and a local road at the same time.

“It can’t continue to do both.

“By taking through-traffic underground, Gympie Road could go back to its original purpose of connecting locals to local destinations.”

Potential benefits to be examined as part of detailed investment proposal include:

• shorter commuter times
• better connections with the Bruce Highway to and from the Sunshine Coast
• better connections to the west of the city through Legacy Way and south through the Clem7 to the M1
• Improving amenity and liveability for locals by removing through traffic from Gympie Road.

Given the significance of the project, any tunnel will need to be tolled, and this will be considered as part of the detailed investment proposal.

Community consultation to allow local residents, businesses and other key stakeholders to have their say will be undertaken later this year.

ENDS

Media contact: Geoff Breusch 0417 272 875