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

[SoulVision]

Yeah strangely enough I like the M1 too... Motorways that link cities need to be big and mean like the M1. I don't know.. I just want more features to Brisbane's suburban freeways... make it interesting to drive in like AirporkLink which will be part tunnel part elevated structure/cut and cover like Sydney's airport tunnel rather than Eastlink/LA style?

[a200]

When I went to Sydney in 2004, coming from Canberra, I saw very little of Sydney until we reached the Northern Suburbs, because it was mainly tunnel, except for a section where I saw a slice of the airport and a slice of the CBD.

Thats not the way I would like to travel in Brisbane.

[SoulVision]

Good to see AirportLink powering ahead...

Protest looms over Airport Link
Tony Moore | May 15, 2007 - 7:52PM

Tensions are rising over the proposed multi-billion dollar Airport Link tunnel project's plans to take out Kedron High School's sport ovals.

Angry teachers will stop work on Thursday in protest over plans to build a "cut and cover" tunnel through the school's oval to link with the Inner Northern Busway.

Kedron High is on Park Road at Kedron, while Wooloowin State School is on nearby Lutwyche Road.

Teachers are also upset about more than 100 truck trips carting soil close to Wooloowin State School and want air conditioning and double-glazing for the school windows.

Queensland Teachers Union president Steve Ryan is supporting the teachers' actions, claiming they had been trying since mid-2005 to learn about the project.

"And they have been making detailed submissions since mid-2006," he said.

Mr Ryan said the teachers had tried to work co-operatively with the project team, but had been repeatedly fobbed off.

"Airport Link is a $3 billion project and the Northern Busway is costed at $333 million, yet the teachers have been shortchanged again and again when they have asked how noise, pollution and safety issues will be addressed," he said.

Mr Ryan said teachers were asking for an indoor sports facility to be built at Kedron High School to take the place of the oval, airconditioning at both schools to moderate the noise and dust impacts, and for double glazing on the windows at Wooloowin State School.

He said teachers were aware of the $12 million in works promised to Brisbane State High School as compensation for Brisbane City Council's Hale Street Bridge proposal after teachers went public with their concerns.

"They are aware of other examples, where schools have been in similar situations and either lobbied the State Government or the Council, and Brisbane State High School is one of those," he said.

Transport Minister Paul Lucas' office has been asked for details of the project and what compensation issues will be offered to the schools as part of the project.

The office will reply tomorrow.

[SoulVision]

Great News!! Its a go ahead!! Construction starts next year... While the consortium's bids will be released next month!

29 MAY 2007
Joint Statement

Airport Link and Northern Busway get the green light

Two of Queensland’s biggest transport projects are set to go ahead with the Queensland Government approving their impact statements.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Anna Bligh said comprehensive assessments on the impact of the north Brisbane projects — the $3 billion Airport Link underground toll road and the $728 million Northern Busway (Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) to Kedron) — had cleared their way forward. “This was a vital hurdle for these projects to cross — and I am delighted both did so as they will bring enormous, long-term benefits to Brisbane,” Ms Bligh said.

“We can now focus on selecting a consortium to start construction next year.” Airport Link is a mainly underground toll road that will connect the North-South Bypass Tunnel, Inner City Bypass and local road network at Bowen Hills to the northern arterials of Gympie and Stafford Roads at Kedron and Sandgate Road and the East-West Arterial in the north-east. It is scheduled to open in 2012 and will be Brisbane’s second toll road tunnel, following on from the North-South Bypass Tunnel, currently under construction.

The Northern Busway, when completed, will connect the Inner Northern Busway at Herston to Bracken Ridge via Windsor, Lutwyche, Kedron, Chermside and Aspley. The Windsor to Kedron section of the busway will be jointly delivered with Airport Link to maximise benefits and minimise construction impacts. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Airport Link and the Concept Design and Impact Management Plan (CDIMP) for the Northern Busway (RCH to Kedron) were developed over 18 months of planning, detailed investigations and extensive community consultation, and were displayed for public comment late last year.

An Airport Link EIS supplementary report was prepared in response to pproximately 300 written submissions on the EIS, raising more than 2000 individual matters ranging from concerns over construction disruption to increased traffic on connecting roads. Both the EIS and the supplementary report were assessed by the Coordinator-General who prepared an EIS evaluation report that recommended Airport Link proceed, subject to a number of strict conditions.

These included the development of environmental management plans that addressed community concerns relating to construction impacts such as noise and dust, as well as safety and traffic management plans to safeguard access around work sites, especially for students. The successful tenderer will also be required to develop solutions to minimise the impact of ventilation outlets and construction impacts on Kedron State High and Wooloowin State schools.
“The government will not allow the safety of students and staff to be ompromised.”

Ms Bligh said the consultation process allowed the public to be properly informed of — and have their say on — how construction and operation of both projects might affect them. “As part of this process Education Minister Rod Welford and Member for Stafford Stirling Hinchliffe and I met with local school representatives last week and heard their concerns. “Extensive input from the community was vital in shaping these projects,” she said. Ms Bligh said the owners of properties directly affected by the Airport Link and Northern Busway projects would receive fair and proper compensation.

“A number of properties have already been bought from those people who needed to move on while the project was being assessed. “Now that the projects have been approved to proceed, the project team will approach all affected surface property owners and offer to purchase their properties.
“This provides certainty to those people whose properties are directly required for the project.” Aside from transport advantages, the projects have other community benefits including rehabilitation of Kedron Brook, beautifying and landscaping Sandgate and Gympie Roads, enhancing Kalinga
Park, creating new pedestrian and cycle paths across Kedron Brook and building recreational facilities in Mann Park overlooking Enoggera Creek.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman welcomed the approval of the EIS and CDIMP.

“This was a crucial step in allowing these two projects to become a reality,” he said. “I am confident both Airport Link and the Northern Busway will be of great benefit to Brisbane’s motorists and bus patrons,” said the Lord Mayor.
Mr Lucas said the Management Plan had drawn a lot of public interest.
”More than 160 written submissions were received on the draft CDIMP from organisations, individuals and government agencies,” Mr Lucas said.
“As a result, the final Plan sets out a range of requirements including the development of environmental management plans that address community concerns relating to impacts such as noise, dust, safety and heritage values.”

Approval of the EIS and CDIMP means the projects can progress to the delivery phase, with tenders expected to be called for Airport Link and the Windsor to Kedron section of the Northern Busway next
month (June). The RCH to Windsor section of the Northern Busway will be built separately. Ms Bligh said that Airport Link and the Northern Busway are two of the largest infrastructure projects planned in the first phase of the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program.

”This is an exciting time for infrastructure projects in South East Queensland..
“I am really looking forward to seeing both these projects come to fruition as they are a vital part of our comprehensive infrastructure plan to meet Brisbane’s current and future transport needs.”

[KJBrissy]

Great News!!!