TL: Federation Street overpass opening soon - Monday!

[somebody]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1320815779

Federation Street overpass opening soon
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Great news for customer's in Brisbane's northern suburbs!  On Monday 14 November, we'll be one step closer to unveiling one of Brisbane's major busway infrastructure projects with the opening of the new Federation Street overpass.

Bypassing four sets of traffic lights and gliding over the congested Bowen Bridge Road, the newest section of the Northern Busway will give you a small taste of the faster travel times and improved reliability offered by the next stage of the Northern Busway's Windsor to Kedron extension, opening in 2012.

Routes 330, P331, P332, 333, 340, 341 and 376 will run via the Federation Street overpass to RBWH station, getting you into the city about four minutes earlier.

Routes 335, P339, 346, 353 will continue to service Northey Street, diverting through the Inner Northern Busway entrance on Butterfield Street before continuing to the city.

And remember, from 7 November, stop 11 Federation Street on Lutwyche Road has relocated about 30 metres north, just outside McDonald's.

So join us in welcoming the new Federation Street overpass ... the newest section of the Nothern Busway!

What about 334, 370, 375, 379?  Did they forget them?

[O_128]

Im feeling that this will be another eastern busway fiasco,

[somebody]

Im feeling that this will be another eastern busway fiasco,

Won't be that bad.  At least the major routes are to use it.

[SurfRail]

Is there a reason why about half the services have not been noted?  Are we to presume for instance that the 370/375/379 will be doing the same thing as the 330/333/340 etc unless it is a Northey St route?

[dwb]

Is there a reason why about half the services have not been noted?  Are we to presume for instance that the 370/375/379 will be doing the same thing as the 330/333/340 etc unless it is a Northey St route?

Maybe they haven't decided yet?

[somebody]

Is there a reason why about half the services have not been noted?  Are we to presume for instance that the 370/375/379 will be doing the same thing as the 330/333/340 etc unless it is a Northey St route?

Maybe they haven't decided yet?

Come in on the weekend to decide.

[BrizCommuter]

Hopefully this may help reduce the bunching of 330/333/340 services in the inbound direction - i.e. none for ages and then all 3 turn up once.

Lack of mention of the 370/5/9 services is just so TransLink.

[ozbob]

Transport and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
14/11/2011

Northern Busway bridge cuts travel time

The new busway bridge for the Northern Busway which opened today will cut up to four minutes off bus travel time for commuters in Brisbane's northern suburbs.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the 600 metre-long Bowen Bridge Road flyover from Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital to Federation Street would improve bus services into the hospital, QUT and the city.

"The flyover is part of the Northern Busway's Windsor to Kedron extension which will benefit thousands of residents in Brisbane's inner northern suburbs," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"Buses on a dozen northern routes that currently use the congested Bowen Bridge and Lutwyche roads will enter the busway at Federation Street, cutting out four sets of traffic lights.

"This will improve bus services into the RBWH, QUT and the city and also cut travel time into the city by about four minutes and outbound by a couple of minutes.

"It will also ease congestion around the busy Clem 7, Inner City Bypass and Bowen Bridge Road junction."

Ms Palaszczuk said the Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) was the latest expansion to Brisbane's 25-kilometre busway network after the recent extension of the Eastern Busway to Stones Corner and Langlands Park.

"Busways are a popular public transport option for many people with about 70 million passenger trips taken each year and growing."

These bus routes will use the Bowen Bridge flyover from November 14: 321, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 340, 341, 370, 375, 376, 379.

Bus routes 335, 339, 346 and 353 will continue to service Northey Street and enter the busway via Butterfield Street.

Ms Palaszczuk said the next section of the Northern Busway between Windsor and Kedron was due to open in mid-2012, with planning for the extension to Bracken Ridge also under way.

"The Northern Busway will ultimately connect Brisbane city to Bracken Ridge and will result in a faster and more efficient service to and from the city for thousands of commuters."

For more information on public transport, visit www.translink.com.au or phone 13 12 30 anytime.

==============================================================

[dwb]

These bus routes will use the Bowen Bridge flyover from November 14: 321, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 340, 341, 370, 375, 376, 379.

Bus routes 335, 339, 346 and 353 will continue to service Northey Street and enter the busway via Butterfield Street.

Interesting those extra routes are in the press release but not the TL website...

[ozbob]

These bus routes will use the Bowen Bridge flyover from November 14: 321, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 340, 341, 370, 375, 376, 379.

Bus routes 335, 339, 346 and 353 will continue to service Northey Street and enter the busway via Butterfield Street.

Interesting those extra routes are in the press release but not the TL website...

Indeed ...   

[somebody]

I would guess they have been reading RAILBoT.

[Gazza]

We have a "Favourite Train Songs" Thread, so I'm celebrating the opening of this piece of infrastructure with my "Favourite Overpass Song".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oqj9Rn2Ue0&ob=av2e

[dwb]

We have a "Favourite Train Songs" Thread, so I'm celebrating the opening of this piece of infrastructure with my "Favourite Overpass Song".

Ohhh sh(t there is a lyric in there that could get you in trouble on here!

[somebody]

Is there a reason why this bit wasn't done with the RCH-RB&WH bit a few years ago and dispense with the need to have an interim arrangement for only 2-3 years?

I wonder if this will convince them to send the 339 via the 325 via Newmarket & Kelvin Grove Rd route now that it has to double back on Bowen Hills Rd?  I'm guessing probably not.

[Set in train]

Is there a reason why this bit wasn't done with the RCH-RB&WH bit a few years ago and dispense with the need to have an interim arrangement for only 2-3 years?

Yes, because it was built as part of Airport Link. It already operates through a construction site, most of the 'hard work' done. It could not have been done earlier while construction was taking place.

[Set in train]

I took a ride yesterday afternoon to road test the new viaduct.

Fantastic views!

The light turned green to proceed onto the bridge in time when the bus departed RBH bus station.

The route is still within a construction worksite at its northern end.

The bus stop is not yet operational owing to the construction work surrounding. The concrete is in place, as is the pedestrian cross over, at grade.

Where the bus route queues to enter Bowen Bridge Rd, it is shared with Cedric St, I was reminded of this on the return trip where there were three cars and three buses waiting.

Swapped direction at the next available express stop, approaching Windsor Station.

[Mr X]

Isn't the 330 no stopping between Chermside and RBWH?

[HappyTrainGuy]

Haha. Reminds me of a trip where some guy at the Wilston Railway station bus stop started waving frantically at the 330 inbound that was in the far right hand lane going slowly due to traffic before giving the middle finger to the driver as it went by. I and fellow commuters at the time saw it and laughed haha.

Yep, the 330/340 are both express Chermside to the RBWH.

[Mr X]

Or the times I'd hail the 215 on Stanley St East only to have it waltz on by... 

[Golliwog]

Haha. Reminds me of a trip where some guy at the Wilston Railway station bus stop started waving frantically at the 330 inbound that was in the far right hand lane going slowly due to traffic before giving the middle finger to the driver as it went by. I and fellow commuters at the time saw it and laughed haha.

Yep, the 330/340 are both express Chermside to the RBWH.

Haha, that got me back in the day when I didn't know too much about it. It opposite the Officeworks on Lutwyche Rd trying to get into RBWH for a poke around when that new section was opening. A 330 was the first bus to come along and stopped when I flagged it down (I didn't know it wasn't meant to). By chance when I was returning, an outbound 330 was the first to come along, and I though, cool, I caught this route here, so away I went. On the plus side, I got to visit Chermside.... 

[Fares_Fair]

 

[Mr X]

Could be worse. Imagine getting wanting to go from South Bank to Park Rd etc. and finding yourself on an express train to Loganlea 

[HappyTrainGuy]

Or to Beenleigh on selected peak hour services. I reckon the worst would be Bowen Hills to Albion. Next stop.... Caboolture 

[Arnz]

Or to Beenleigh on selected peak hour services. I reckon the worst would be Bowen Hills to Albion. Next stop.... Caboolture  

Or the Pre-June 6 timetable, An unwitting passenger boards the old 5:16pm Nambour train between Roma Street to Bowen Hills thinking the train stops at Northgate or Petrie... Leaves Bowen Hills.. the next station is Caboolture..  

The ICE would've made it obvious in regards to Gympie service for the average passenger, not the case for the old 5:16pm service (despite it being one of the few specifically scheduled IMUs in the old timetable).

[Gazza]

I took a ride yesterday afternoon to road test the new viaduct.

Fantastic views!

The light turned green to proceed onto the bridge in time when the bus departed RBH bus station.

The route is still within a construction worksite at its northern end.

The bus stop is not yet operational owing to the construction work surrounding. The concrete is in place, as is the pedestrian cross over, at grade.

Where the bus route queues to enter Bowen Bridge Rd, it is shared with Cedric St, I was reminded of this on the return trip where there were three cars and three buses waiting.

Swapped direction at the next available express stop, approaching Windsor Station.

(Oh that reminds me, the 330 inbound did not stop despite being nowhere near full at 4:15pm, I shall phone in a complaint about that.)

So is the new stop like Dutton Park Place? On the Busway, but not a full blown station with lift towers.
Or is this stop on a normal road with cars etc?

[O_128]

Are the bus lanes definently going to be implemented or left out?

[Fares_Fair]

Or to Beenleigh on selected peak hour services. I reckon the worst would be Bowen Hills to Albion. Next stop.... Caboolture  

Or the Pre-June 6 timetable, An unwitting passenger boards the old 5:16pm Nambour train between Roma Street to Bowen Hills thinking the train stops at Northgate or Petrie... Leaves Bowen Hills.. the next station is Caboolture..  

The ICE would've made it obvious in regards to Gympie service for the average passenger, not the case for the old 5:16pm service (despite it being one of the few specifically scheduled IMUs in the old timetable).

We observed that many, many times Arnz,

We used to say if we had a dollar for every person who got on the wrong train ...

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[somebody]

So is the new stop like Dutton Park Place? On the Busway, but not a full blown station with lift towers.
Or is this stop on a normal road with cars etc?

I think this link: http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/what-we-do/infrastructure-projects/northern-busway/100217-alignment.jpg
answers your questions.

What routes will serve it?  37x + 334 + 321 seem the only logical ones.  I for one wouldn't be impressed if the 333 was slowed by serving these stops.

[Mr X]

I doubt the average person would know the difference between an IMU, EMU etc. train set.

[Fares_Fair]

I doubt the average person would know the difference between an IMU, EMU etc. train set.

True, I have found most do not.
All they want is a train, with toilets for the longer haul trips, at a reasonable frequency and with a reliable service.
The rest is for the experts (or train buffs).

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Set in train]

So is the new stop like Dutton Park Place? On the Busway, but not a full blown station with lift towers.
Or is this stop on a normal road with cars etc?

There is now a Nearmap image of it:

http://www.nearmap.com/?q=@-27.441204,153.031193&ll=-27.441204,153.031193&z=19&t=k&nmd=20111107

cheers!

[somebody]

Looking at TL's image, inbound is supposed to join the new busway south of Federation St, with it seems a fly-under Lutwyche Rd for outbound at Gallway St.  Is this image out of date, am I reading it wrong, or is there a further stage to come for the bit south of Windsor station?

[dwb]

Looking at TL's image, inbound is supposed to join the new busway south of Federation St, with it seems a fly-under Lutwyche Rd for outbound at Gallway St.  Is this image out of date, am I reading it wrong, or is there a further stage to come for the bit south of Windsor station?

I'd suggest you're reading the alignment (http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/what-we-do/infrastructure-projects/northern-busway/100217-alignment.jpg) incorrectly. The outlined blue line isn't tunnel, it is that new road you can see on nearmap.

[somebody]

Looking at TL's image, inbound is supposed to join the new busway south of Federation St, with it seems a fly-under Lutwyche Rd for outbound at Gallway St.  Is this image out of date, am I reading it wrong, or is there a further stage to come for the bit south of Windsor station?

I'd suggest you're reading the alignment (http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/what-we-do/infrastructure-projects/northern-busway/100217-alignment.jpg) incorrectly. The outlined blue line isn't tunnel, it is that new road you can see on nearmap.

Seems you're correct.  I don't understand what the second entrance is for though.

I wonder why it has the bridge over Lutwyche Rd for the outbound buses and then the turn onto it across the inbound traffic?  Wouldn't it be better to have a left turn onto Lutwyche in both directions.

[dwb]

I don't understand what the second entrance is for though.

I don't know either... nor for why it switches sides of the road... perhaps that missing bit of busway (soon to be bus lanes) will be put underground too at some stage and they want both directions together... ?

[Jonno]

Stage 2 of busway puts it underground to replace the bus lanes. Should have been built underground from Day 1.

[somebody]

Stage 2 of busway puts it underground to replace the bus lanes. Should have been built underground from Day 1.

Is that sarcasm or is there an even further stage planned?  What will happen then?