U/C» AirportLink Tunnel + Northern Busway [Bris Connections]

[The Watchman]

Originally Posted by bris-vegas93

Yes I know you don't just mean people moving out it's going to cost a lot of money and approvals etc.I can see where you are coming from but planning for the future is safe and healthy for the city traffice won't be a problem etc. Thye only problem is if the future doen't go your well and the population growth starts going backwards then forwards or if a natural disaster hits.


Anything could happen and purly it's the governments decision and basicly thats why there the government. So we can only leave it to them unless they want people to vote and majority rules.

I see you are of the archaic opinion that building more roads will fix congestion...am I right?

[Marty_]

Actually it will if done properly, and in conjunction with other projects.

I really hate the people that are against Brisbane building these roads because 'we should invest in public transport' - of course we should, but first things first! Our road system is choking not only commuters, but the transport of goods and Brisbane's industrial and commercial precincts. Without transport links, these areas can't function. Second to that, good roads are absolutelly vital to a good bus system. A good bus system not only helps commuters, but also provides linkage between other forms of transport. In addition to that, our roads are presently so congested and under-maintained that they are killing people every day. Even if we did storm ahead with public transport only, people would still die and the roads would not be adequete. Roads also provide an easy basis for a cycle-way network.

Brisbane is so under-serviced in every area that roads are needed as well as public transport. In our present situation, massive road infrastructure needs to be built, followed by busways and a public transport solution for the CBD (monorail, light rail, small subway - preferrably free), then extended rail links and cycle ways.

Roads have to come first or we simply won't fix a thing.

[bne123]

Building 8 lines highways are a stupid idea
if alreayd di solve congestion, LA has already done it
and we all know LA is a highway city
yes, i agree we need to transport goods around which is understandible, but going around with 8 lines are stupid
this not only encourages people to drive more and it is not so enviornmental friendly
some projects i reckon thats uselss are like the Hale Street Bridge Link (in my opinion, who would pay to go into the city?). maybe that bridge has its special purpose that i dont know about
if, the city want to build more roads
i suggest the roads for the westside

[Marty_]

8 lanes isn't stupid for major links. The M1 from Bris to the GC is mainly 8 lanes (10 in some parts) and the new Gateway will be 12 lanes. Even with world class public transport, those 8 lanes to the GC would simply never go to waste. I always thought they should put a high speed, elevated train line down the centre of the M1 (as in several metres up) from the CBD to Coollangatta. Express trains could go straight to the Gold Coast at incredible speed whilst regular services could stop at stations near most motorway exits. Think the Maglev hover train in Shanghai

Anyway, that's another issue altogether. I always thought it important to have adequete roads, coupled with truly exceptional public transport. This way, people will preference the use of public transport, thereby taking the load off the roads, but at the same time, having an excellent road system means serious congestion is a thing of the past. It's a fine balance and almost impossible to acheive. Especially with population growth.

Also, remember that due to the massive urban sprawl in Australian cities, perfect public transport is simply NOT attainable. Driving will always be a major part of the lives of those in the suburbs. Only DENSITY can solve that problem. This is why its such great news that Brisbane will be the most dense CBD in Australia - thereby making an underground light rail network, inner city busway and ample pedestrian/cycle bridges 100% viable and useful. Solutions for the suburbs however, are simply not so cut and dried as to say 'oh well, improve public transport.' No, it isn't viable for everyone to have good public transport access due to the plan of our city. It is, however, a good idea to have urban centres or 'mini CBD's' in strategic locations as Cr Newman is planning, and have excellent high speed links between each of them and also back to the CBD. This improves public transport AND distributes traffic more evenly thereby reducing strain on the road network.

Brisbane needs pockets of high density areas, plus a super high density CBD. This will make transport issues much easier to solve.

maybe that bridge has its special purpose that i dont know about

It does. The plan is for the CBD and high density buildings to spill over into West End. Why? Because there is a lifestyle precinct and parklands sandwiched in the middle, and it is much easier to manage CBD growth in West End than it is in New Farm. New Farm is already too stifled and there is little scope to improve transport links and the like. West End is in an area perfect for extra river crossings to the North, South, East and West to such major suburbs as Toowong, Milton, St Lucia, the CBD, Woolloongabba etc. If the CBD is to grow in the future, this is a much better place for it to go. Remember, as it is now, it is stuck on a VERY tiny finger of land. It has to expand... So we should make sure it expands in the best direction. A la Hail St Link

i suggest the roads for the westside

Right now they seem to be solving traffic issues from a birds eye view. Find the epicentre and relieve it. That's the point of the NSBT. All major arterial roads go to the CBD. A bypass tunnel like this will relieve so much pressure.

Once they solve the major problem, then can focus on individual areas. The Western Link is being finalised now and should start before too much longer I believe? There is also a Western Busway in the planning stages.

Remember, far more people live North or South than East or West of the CBD.... And then more people live East... So Westerners have a raw deal (presuming you don't mean Ipswich... In which case I heartily agree. They need more roads so badly!)

Wow long post... Bed time

Edit: I forgot to mention that, if the state were run properly and we weren't both up to our eyeballs in debt and taxed till we bleed, it would be quite possible to make a lot of public transport free. Namely any bus services or light rail (when it's introduced) within the CBD area. Having areas or certain routes that are free would encourage massive public transport use and IS doable. QLD is potentially a ridiculously wealthy state... Only it is terribly mismanaged.

[bris-vegas93]

I know you have to plan for the future.Ipswich routes need to be upgraded but I wonder how the new greater springfield will approach brisbane's future growth etc. There is a whole new city out there.