Infrastructure: CBD BaT tunnel improvements announced.
Dutton Park train station will remain open and families will continue to use and enjoy Victoria Park under the refined BaT project design released today.
Premier Campbell Newman said the design changes answer concerns raised by the community as part of an extensive five-week consultation exercise.
“We are a government that listens and the design changes reflect feedback from the community while still delivering a world-class public transport solution,” Mr Newman said.
“We’re delivering better infrastructure and better planning for Queenslanders, ensuring that mums and dads spend less time travelling and more time with their kids.”
Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said engineers have changed the design so the length of the tunnel to the existing tracks can be shorter and slightly steeper, which means Dutton Park train station can remain open without any surface property resumptions.
“Further changes to the design at the northern end of the tunnel will mean the majority of the project infrastructure will be contained within the existing transport corridor, preserving Victoria Park,” Mr Emerson said.
“The $5 billion BaT project is a key part of our strong plan to deliver a brighter future for Queensland.
“Once BaT is operational, passengers will get to the city faster with only a six-minute train trip from Dutton Park train station into the CBD’s new underground George Street Station.”
Member for Brisbane Central Robert Cavallucci welcomed the changes to the Victoria Park end of the project.
“This is a fantastic outcome for Spring Hill residents, as access for local families, pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained throughout Victoria Park,” he said.
“After working extensively with local residents, I am pleased as a government we have not only listened we have delivered better outcomes for the local community.”
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the 5 kilometre north-south tunnel with new underground stations at Woolloongabba, George Street and Roma Street would also provide a key link for buses using the new Legacy Way tunnel via a connection near Victoria Park.
“This project is a great example of different levels of government working together to address the city’s public transport capacity issues,” Cr Quirk said.
“It will double the capacity of the rail and bus networks, take pressure off existing infrastructure and make way for future growth.”
The community will have the opportunity to provide comment on the design enhancements following the release of the Environmental Impact Statement and the Final Reference Design expected in the second half of the year.
The BaT tunnel will run from Dutton Park in the south to Victoria Park at Spring Hill in the north. It includes three new underground stations at Woolloongabba, George Street and Roma Street.
The project is due to be completed in 2020 and operational in 2021.
Source: News Release Premier Campbell Newman, 25 June 2014