Where is the current Exhibition line?? Does that run to the RNA show grounds?
Trains to travel under the river
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld) |
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By Darrell Giles
August 26, 2007 12:00am
BRISBANE could have two under-the-river rail tunnels and a new rail bridge in a bold State Government public transport plan. There could be major new train stations at Woolloongabba, Gardens Point and the "financial district" at Eagle St, and a redeveloped Exhibition line for year-round use.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Paul Lucas will today unveil details of a $5 million feasibility study to develop options for connecting the rail network north and south of the Brisbane River.
Last month, The Sunday Mail revealed the Government's Smart Cities: Rethinking the City Centre concept, which included five pedestrian and cycle bridges.
Premier Peter Beattie said his "visionary" 10-to-15-year plan aimed to keep cars and trucks out of the Brisbane CBD and make vast areas pedestrian-friendly.
Mr Lucas said southeast Queensland's booming population – which increases by more than 1000 a week – meant trains and buses were close to capacity.
"We need to plan now to ensure public transport will continue to be affordable and convenient in Brisbane into the future," he said yesterday.
"We already know that by around 2016 we'll face congestion on the Merivale Bridge because of the massive number of new services we're putting on.
"But rather than simply deciding to put up another rail bridge right next to it, I want to look at options that will provide smart solutions for the next 50 years and beyond." He said that could mean going underground.
The Inner City Rail Capacity Study by consultants Maunsell Parsons Brinkerhoff is expected to be completed late next year.
The Government's public transport plan would be separate from the Brisbane City Council's TransApex project, which includes four road tunnels and a bridge.
It would be funded by the Government, with a request for Commonwealth assistance. The city council would not be expected to contribute.
"The study is not likely to recommend an underground City (rail) loop because of the small size of the CBD, plus technical and operational constraints," Mr Lucas said.
"But it will consider other potential crossings, including bridges adjacent to existing road and rail connections."
Experts predicted that Citytrain patronage could increase between 39 per cent and 98 per cent in the next decade.
"That's on top of the extra 40 million trips being taken on public transport every year now compared with 2004," Mr Lucas said.
"The inner-city network . . . limits how many extra trains we can run on lines servicing the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Cleveland, Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast."
Mr Lucas said that under the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan, the Government had committed more than $7 billion in the next 20 years to rail upgrades, new lines to Springfield and on the Gold Coast, and new trains.
He said a new station at the Gabba would help AFL crowds – about 80 per cent of Suncorp Stadium fans used public transport.