William Scott
Brisbane Metro is set to expand as part of a new funding commitment from the Federal Government to revitalise the city and reshape the way it moves.
The investment includes $50 million to support the delivery of a business case in partnership with the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council to expand the Brisbane Metro to the city’s northern suburbs.
The funding also aims to provide people living in Brisbane with more opportunities to walk, cycle and catch public transport.
It builds on $51.5 million of additional funding recently committed to Brisbane Metro to ensure the project’s delivery, taking the Federal Government’s total contribution to this transformative public transport project to more than $400 million.
The Federal Government will also contribute to the development of business cases to improve important transport links and enhance infrastructure across the city, including:
- $2.25 million to investigate the cost and scope of works required for the restoration and future maintenance of the iconic Story Bridge
- $1 million to deliver an updated business case for the construction of a new active travel bridge from Toowong to West End
The Federal Government also recently committed $78.5 million towards cost pressures on the Moggill Road Corridor Upgrade project, replacing the Indooroopilly roundabout with an overpass over Moggill Road, upgrading key intersections and providing new on-road cycling facilities and footpaths. This new investment takes the Federal Government’s total contribution to this project to $128.5 million.
Brisbane City Council will also receive $5 million towards a $12 million project to construct the Sylvan Road Bikeway under the Federal Government’s $100 million Active Transport Fund.
This will complete the link between the Western Freeway Bikeway and the Bicentennial Bikeway – providing 20km of continuous dedicated cycling path between Brisbane’s west and the CBD.
The Federal Government is also contributing a further $20 million for the Brisbane Valley Highway Safety Upgrades project, for a total commitment of $40 million. This project will improve road safety and reduce road injuries and fatalities along this important highway.
In total, the Federal Government is investing $28.9 billion in transport infrastructure projects in Queensland over the next ten years.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said, “With south-east Queensland being one of the fastest growing regions in the country, we’re delivering the infrastructure Brisbane needs to be well connected – boosting the river city’s liveability and economic activity.
“I’m proud to be part of a government that is building this country’s future, partnering with local and state governments to invest in the infrastructure our communities need to thrive.”
Federal Senator for Queensland, Murray Watt, said, “With Brisbane continuing to grow at a rapid pace, it’s important we invest in projects that improve connectivity and build safe and active transport options for our residents – and that’s what this funding does.
“Whether you’re jumping on the new metro, cycling out west or crossing the most quintessential of Brisbane of landmarks – the Story Bridge – the Federal Government is contributing strongly to keeping this city moving.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner, said better roads and better transport are critical to keeping Brisbane moving and all three levels of government need to work together to achieve this.
“With the Federal Government’s support, we can now progress a rapid business case to progress the expansion of Brisbane Metro to Carseldine, Capalaba, Springwood and out to the airport.
“This funding will also help us progress a business case to ensure the Story Bridge continues to play a critical role in the national transport network for another 100 years.”
Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann, said the Brisbane Valley Highway is a busy highway with a significant number of vehicles using it to travel in and out of Ipswich every day.
“I have been strongly advocating for action to address safety concerns. This additional funding boost to what we have already delivered in our community will greatly improve safety and connectivity along what is the main artery between the Somerset region and south-east Queensland.”
