Brisbane: Bus Electric Rapid Transit (' Brisbane Metro ')

[Gazza]

So you agree at least $1.5 billion.

worst case would be 1.5b

If we look at Qld, Stage 2 got an easy run because it was mostly on vacant land.

We will get a truer picture when stage 3 is underway since that is through built up areas and they are ripping up the GC highway, but that is currently costed at $700m.

[ozbob]

The issue is Gazza, Westend to Tennerrife is going to be impacted by underground utilities along the entire route.  Some known, some not known.  I remember on one of our early visits to GC Light Rail they mentioned the problems they were having with the underground utilities, many not known, through Surfers Paradise.  The charts and maps of the underground utilities are not accurate.

Sydney light rail subcontractor 'wouldn't have signed' with knowledge of required utility work

> https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-29/sydney-light-rail-inquiry-hears-blowout-details/10566958

[aldonius]

West End to Teneriffe light rail would only substitute for Metro if it incorporates similar levels of bus priority and grade separation from KGS to the Melbourne St portal. Meanwhile the CityGlider is only just getting artics.

Unless any proposed light rail project is some sort of busway upgrade, I don't think it should be considered as an alternative to Brisbane Metro. It doesn't solve the same problems.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane Metro 'must be fast-tracked' to create jobs

BRISBANE'S Metro public transit project needs to be fast-tracked to create desperately needed jobs, Queensland's Major Contractors Association says.

The association's chief executive Jon Davies said council and State Government disputes had left the firms who wanted the work in limbo.

He called on Brisbane's re-elected LNP administration and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner to get on with the job.

He urged Cr Schrinner to get on with the Brisbane Metro, the Green Bridge program and Victoria Park redevelopment.

"QMCA asks the Lord Mayor, council and the public service to fast track the appointment of a contractor to deliver Brisbane Metro to provide certainty to industry and progress for residents," Mr Davies said.

"Due to disagreements between the State Government and council, Metro is experiencing significant delays in procurement, with three consortia awaiting a decision on who will win the tender to deliver the project.

"The delay is impacting the consortia involved, who have been strung along for over six months – effectively in limbo – awaiting a decision.

"During this time, they have incurred high costs at a time when the whole industry is under severe financial pressure.

"We would ask that a contractor is appointed as soon as possible so that work can start in earnest, people can be employed, and a vital piece of infrastructure can be delivered."

Council's public and active transport committee chair councillor Krista Adams said council would name a single preferred bidder in coming weeks.

"We have already awarded contracts for early works and the state of the art Metro vehicles, and now we are keen to move forward with the next round of work," Cr Adams said.

"We will make the decision in the coming weeks to short-list the three bidding construction bidders down to a single preferred bidder.

"This will provide a clear signal to the construction industry that we are moving forward as quickly as possible.

"Unfortunately we lost around 9 months last year due to State Government incompetence and political delays, while they sent us back to the drawing board twice for the major station design."

Mr Davies said major contractors understood the strain COVID-19 was putting on all governments but that infrastructure offered good jobs that created value in the future.

"QMCA and our members are ready to work collaboratively to expedite major projects  such as the proposed Victoria Park redevelopment and Five Green Bridges Program to have them shovel ready as soon as possible," Mr Davies said.

"By expediting projects, infrastructure investment can be a lever to stimulate long-term economic activity and support small and medium businesses who are an essential part of the supply chain for any major project."

[verbatim9]

BCC should be pretty close in releasing the new design of the combined Cultural Centre Station and underground Melbourne street portal? It was meant to be due for release around this time.

[verbatim9]

Updated mid March 2020

[timh]

Updated mid March 2020

Much better video than the first version. Contains a lot more details and some nice new renders.

Only thing I think was lacking is it would be nice if they mentioned something about Rochedale and Springwood stations. From my conversation with TMR, those new stations are being planned with Metro services and vehicles in mind, and they are due to open not too long after Metro is due to start. So yeah, would be nice to get some word from council here

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[verbatim9]

Interesting how they will push for services to the Airport. BCC have stated that it will not run on normal roads mixed with general traffic. This will mean they will need to build a segregated mass transit corridor from Kelvin Grove. They might also allow it to run through Airport link with regular traffic then to the terminals via Skygate on a dedicated mass transit corridor?.

^^Will this require a law change at State level for those vehicles to operate amongst general traffic?

[timh]

Interesting how they will push for services to the Airport. BCC have stated that it will not run on normal roads mixed with general traffic. This will mean they will need to build a segregated mass transit corridor from Kelvin Grove. They might also allow it to run through Airport link with regular traffic then to the terminals via Skygate on a dedicated mass transit corridor?.

^^Will this require a law change at State level for those vehicles to operate amongst general traffic?

Yeah I feel like if they're gonna run to the Airport it'll be through AirPortlink. There are more important priorities for busway imo, as I've stated previously (Chermside/Bracken ridge, Carindale/Capalaba...)

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[verbatim9]

BCC should be pretty close in releasing the new design of the combined Cultural Centre Station and underground Melbourne street portal? It was meant to be due for release around this time.

Brisbane Times---> Brisbane Metro $200m over budget

The cost of Brisbane City Council's signature Brisbane Metro mega-bus project - which once had a budget of $944 million - has blown out by $200 million.

Brisbane Metro has quietly added another $100 million to its costs since February 2020 to allow buses from West End and South Brisbane to access the underground station.

^^Subtle hint of the soon to be released Underground Cultural Centre Station to accommodate buses from West end and South Brisbane.

[SurfRail]

It doesn't matter if they build their own perway, Airtrain still has a monopoly on public transport until 2036 except for the very limited window allowed for certain bus services (which are not mass transit types).

[Golliwog]

Interesting how they will push for services to the Airport. BCC have stated that it will not run on normal roads mixed with general traffic. This will mean they will need to build a segregated mass transit corridor from Kelvin Grove. They might also allow it to run through Airport link with regular traffic then to the terminals via Skygate on a dedicated mass transit corridor?.

^^Will this require a law change at State level for those vehicles to operate amongst general traffic?

I'd be interested to know what heavy vehicle access scheme they are operating under.

But unlikely to need a law change - just approval under regulation. I expect it would be similar to when a route is designated for road train vehicles. There's an approvals process to go through, but as long as you can show it's safe to operate it can get approved.

"Safe to operate" would encompass a number of things such as mass, geometry when making turns, queuing at intersections etc.

[verbatim9]

Brisbane Metro has set up.an area near Skew Street for construction purposes.

[verbatim9]

Brisbane Metro has set up.an area near Skew Street for construction purposes.

May 28, 2020. Work site office off Skew St

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/team_schrinner/status/1267674656800043009

[verbatim9]

Wonder what role the new awarded tender has in the project? Tunnelling, Station box works, Busway conversion works? Electrical and capacity works? Or Depot Build works?

[Gazza]

If it's acconnia its probably tunneling, they do major stuff like Legacy Way.

[verbatim9]

Brisbane Times --> Brisbane Metro major construction contractors announced

A primary contractor for the construction of Brisbane Metro has been selected by Brisbane City Council, the lord mayor has announced.

Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner told council's meeting on Tuesday that of the three contractor bids shortlisted last year, one had now progressed for approval by the council.

A joint tender by infrastructure companies Acciona and Arup has won the bid to develop the major construction work for Brisbane Metro, Cr Schrinner said.

"This is an exciting milestone in the progress of the Brisbane Metro. We have now chosen the Acciona-Arup consortium as the preferred tenderer and we will be working to have the contract finalised in the next few months," Cr Schrinner said.

He said the project would support about 2600 jobs, creating an "incredible flow-on effect" to the Brisbane economy.

The major infrastructure works include the Adelaide Street tunnel, which will funnel Metro vehicles underground close to City Hall and off the streets of Brisbane.

Mid last year, a war of words erupted between the council and the state government over the placement and design of the Metro's Cultural Centre station, with extensive work redone to change the planned station's location and design.

But that appears all in the past with a closer working relationship now evident between the council's public and active transport committee chair Ryan Murphy and the Transport Minister Mark Bailey.

The delays to the project are expected to cost the council more money after construction was in many aspects put on hold for nearly a full year, with only minor intersection and utilities work underway in West End and South Brisbane.

The three shortlisted tenderers had a long wait to find out who would win the lucrative council contract.

Cr Schrinner said "substantial progress" had been made on those developments for the Cultural Centre station over the past 11 months.

Last year a contract was agreed upon between the council and HESS to develop the electric bus vehicles for the project, which Cr Schrinner said had been dubbed 'Brisbane Light Trams' or BLTs.

"The construction of that first vehicle is underway right now and we're looking forward to seeing that arrive in Brisbane next year for the initial testing phase," he told the chamber.

Queensland Major Contractors Association chief executive Jon Davies welcomed the announcement.

Mr Davies had been the one to break the news to the three shortlisted contractors last year that there would be lengthy delays before the contracts were finalised, after finding out at a press club lunch address delivered by Cr Schrinner.

"We are particularly pleased that the council listened to industry advice and is using a collaborative procurement/delivery model for this project," Mr Davies said.

"There are many risks involved with constructing a major infrastructure project in the heart of a city, and collaborative contracts enable a partnership-based approach to the management of those risks, resulting in improved project outcomes."

Opposition leader Jared Cassidy said the Metro project was a "white elephant".

"This is just the latest chapter of a long, sorry saga – apparently now the bendy buses are trams, according to the lord mayor," he said.

"Just because he calls it a tram doesn't make it anything more than a bendy bus. No wonder Brisbane people are having trouble keeping up with this monument to poor planning.

"After four long years of dithering, the lord mayor has nothing to show for it except a $200 million blowout. This billion dollar-plus white elephant will still just be the same old busway. Where is the plan to get the whole of Brisbane moving?"

[timh]

Brisbane Times --> Brisbane Metro major construction contractors announced

A primary contractor for the construction of Brisbane Metro has been selected by Brisbane City Council, the lord mayor has announced.

Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner told council's meeting on Tuesday that of the three contractor bids shortlisted last year, one had now progressed for approval by the council.

A joint tender by infrastructure companies Acciona and Arup has won the bid to develop the major construction work for Brisbane Metro, Cr Schrinner said.

"This is an exciting milestone in the progress of the Brisbane Metro. We have now chosen the Acciona-Arup consortium as the preferred tenderer and we will be working to have the contract finalised in the next few months," Cr Schrinner said.

He said the project would support about 2600 jobs, creating an "incredible flow-on effect" to the Brisbane economy.

The major infrastructure works include the Adelaide Street tunnel, which will funnel Metro vehicles underground close to City Hall and off the streets of Brisbane.

Mid last year, a war of words erupted between the council and the state government over the placement and design of the Metro's Cultural Centre station, with extensive work redone to change the planned station's location and design.

But that appears all in the past with a closer working relationship now evident between the council's public and active transport committee chair Ryan Murphy and the Transport Minister Mark Bailey.

The delays to the project are expected to cost the council more money after construction was in many aspects put on hold for nearly a full year, with only minor intersection and utilities work underway in West End and South Brisbane.

The three shortlisted tenderers had a long wait to find out who would win the lucrative council contract.

Cr Schrinner said "substantial progress" had been made on those developments for the Cultural Centre station over the past 11 months.

Last year a contract was agreed upon between the council and HESS to develop the electric bus vehicles for the project, which Cr Schrinner said had been dubbed 'Brisbane Light Trams' or BLTs.

"The construction of that first vehicle is underway right now and we're looking forward to seeing that arrive in Brisbane next year for the initial testing phase," he told the chamber.

Queensland Major Contractors Association chief executive Jon Davies welcomed the announcement.

Mr Davies had been the one to break the news to the three shortlisted contractors last year that there would be lengthy delays before the contracts were finalised, after finding out at a press club lunch address delivered by Cr Schrinner.

"We are particularly pleased that the council listened to industry advice and is using a collaborative procurement/delivery model for this project," Mr Davies said.

"There are many risks involved with constructing a major infrastructure project in the heart of a city, and collaborative contracts enable a partnership-based approach to the management of those risks, resulting in improved project outcomes."

Opposition leader Jared Cassidy said the Metro project was a "white elephant".

"This is just the latest chapter of a long, sorry saga – apparently now the bendy buses are trams, according to the lord mayor," he said.

"Just because he calls it a tram doesn't make it anything more than a bendy bus. No wonder Brisbane people are having trouble keeping up with this monument to poor planning.

"After four long years of dithering, the lord mayor has nothing to show for it except a $200 million blowout. This billion dollar-plus white elephant will still just be the same old busway. Where is the plan to get the whole of Brisbane moving?"

BLT is a terrible name. Worse than Brisbane Metro.

1) it's not a tram, and
2) No one is going to take it seriously if they are being driven around in a Bacon Lettuce and Tomato sandwich

They really need to change the brand and just call it BRT. Good product, bad name.

Aside from that, this is all good news! I wonder if we could get the new changed plans for cultural centre now? Surely if contractors have been awarded then the design is finished right?

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[verbatim9]

Electric BRT is the correct name for this project.

I am confused why the Labor Councillors seem to be a against this project when they didn't have an cost effective alternative at the last Local Government elections.

LRT is planned from West End to Teneriffe which was revealed in the long term transport plan. (Longer buses are an interim measure which are coming online soon). But unfortunately converting the Busway to LRT at this stage would be uneconomical. At least we get electric vehicles, bus reform and active transport alternatives to stations along the route with e scooters and soon e bikes.

[verbatim9]

If it's acconnia its probably tunneling, they do major stuff like Legacy Way.

from CM----> Brisbane City Council announces winning tenderer for 'crucial' transport project

Cr Schrinner said ACCIONA and ARUP had been previously involved in major Queensland projects including Legacy Way, the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing and Cross River Rail.

[verbatim9]

Couriermail --> Brisbane City Council announces winning tenderer for 'crucial' transport project

Brisbane City Council has revealed a consortium made up of London and Spanish-based conglomerates will lead the construction of the city's billion-dollar Metro project. It is set to create 2600 jobs.

A GLOBAL consortium made up of Spanish and London-based conglomerates will build Brisbane's billion-dollar metro system, Council has revealed today.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced a collaborative partnership between ARUP and ACCIONA as the primary tenderer for Brisbane Metro project.

Cr Schrinner said council expected to finalise the construction contract "in the next few months".

"There are 2600 jobs in play across the project and hundreds of supplier opportunities on the table so it's great news that we are now working with the preferred tenderer to get moving on the next phase of this crucial Brisbane project," Cr Schrinner said.

The $944 million Brisbane Metro project will be built by a consortium made up of Spanish and London-based conglomerates.

The conclusion of the tender is expected to generate more than 150 jobs through the construction of the Brisbane Metro Depot at Rochedale with early works continuing in South Brisbane.

"This project is vital in driving Brisbane's economic recovery and jobs growth as we emerge from this economic challenge," Cr Schrinner said.

"The coronavirus pandemic has devastated the local economy; we need construction projects to accelerate right now."

Cr Schrinner said the "major construction works" would open the gates for additional jobs in what he called an "incredible flow on effect".

"There are 2600 jobs in play across the project and hundreds of supplier opportunities on the table so it's great news ... to get moving on the next phase of this crucial Brisbane project," Cr Schrinner said.
.
The Brisbane Metro project has been fraught with roadblocks including infrastructure upgrades to allow for fully electric Metro vehicles as well as constant difficulties surrounding the design and placement of the Cultural Centre station.

Council had also purchased additional land for the Rochedale depot to enable future expansion and allow for later additions to the Brisbane Metro, for example to the airport and along the northern corridor.

Councillor Nicole Johnston criticised Council's choice of non-local tenderers in today's meeting.

However, Cr Schrinner said ACCIONA and ARUP had been previously involved in major Queensland projects including Legacy Way, the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing and Cross River Rail.

Council said "substantial progress" had been made on developments for the cultural centre over the past 11 months.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1267835505825075200

Just because a bus, even if bi or tri articulated is electric you don't call it a tram!  FMD !!!

[Gazza]

Literally the whole argument Labor is making against this project is "Lol it's just a big bus"

[SurfRail]

Brisbane is obssessed with giving things silly names.  Rocket, BUZ, BLT.

I wish they were as worried about making buses run more often (and without needing a giant Venn diagram to work out the stopping patterns on major roads) as they were about what we called the bloody things.

[Jonno]

I noticed the new stations are not integrated (connected) so you exit the train station and then enter the bus station!!! The mode shouldn't matter. Why are we treating the busway different to a train line?

Yeah I'm not happy with that. Mind you we haven't got the new redesign yet. It's possible in the new design they might be integrated, as I agree, our busways should be treated like train lines.

Inner city (ie City glider routes)? Unlikely. Too expensive.

Really? Other first world cities routinely do it?

I wouldn't mind it on the Blue Glider since it's dumb to build up West End so much but have a bus only solution, and Montague Rd would be easy to build along.
There's no shortage of road space on Ann St, and that could do with a good road diet.

Oh yeah don't get me wrong I think it's a great idea. The blue city glider route is a prime candidate for conversion to light rail (I think that was one of the original proposals for the route?).

My point was more that I think it is unlikely Labor at a council level would propose it for this election due to the high costs, and the construction problems with Sydney's light rail (business closures etc.) still weighing heavily on peoples minds.

Other than the latest fly-through. Is there any real detail on the Cultural Centre and Melbourne Street station designs and the treatment of grey/Melbourne Street intersection other than a few drawings ? I can't find anything online.

[verbatim9]

^^It will be interesting to see how that will  work. I am also looking forward to the new draft solution.

[verbatim9]

BLT?

[nathandavid88]

Last year a contract was agreed upon between the council and HESS to develop the electric bus vehicles for the project, which Cr Schrinner said had been dubbed 'Brisbane Light Trams' or BLTs.

To play devils advocate here, the actual model name of the HESS vehicles that will operate on the Metro is the "HESS LighTram 24", so internally, HESS might refer to them as "Brisbane LighTrams".

[ozbob]

HESS marketing gimmick.  A bus is not a tram. Doesn't matter what they call them.

[nathandavid88]

Maybe it sounds better in German?

They also have a vehicle range called a BusTrain (a conventional bus with a separate, bus-sized trailer). They obviously like to blur the lines with their product line names.

[James]

It's just a marketing gimmick, people have to seem this perception that buses are somehow an inferior mode of transport, so that's why BCC Labor (and other detractors) call Brisbane Metro "fancy buses", and is why Schrinner is reluctant to use toe correct technical term of bi-articulated buses.

BLT is definitely worse than Metro though, it sounds more like a burger. It's all just marketing in the end though.

[Gazza]

ELT would have been better.... Electric Light Tram

[cartoonbirdhaus]

Rapid Lipstick on a Pig might be a better choice.

[SurfRail]

I'm going to call it a bus.  That's exactly what it is.

[aldonius]

Just throwing "Busway 2.0" in the ring for consideration 

[verbatim9]

Couriermail.com.au---Metro stoush ends, paving way for 2600 jobs

A spat between the State Government and Brisbane City Council over the Brisbane's Metro bus system has finally been sorted, meaning 2600 new jobs kicking off from next month.

AN UGLY 12-month spat between the State Government and Brisbane City Council over the much-vaunted Metro bus system has been sorted – paving the way for 2600 new jobs next month – but work on the cultural centre underground station will be deferred.

The Brisbane Metro is one of the key projects expected to breathe new life into the state's capital over the next five years.

They include Queen's Wharf, the Brisbane Live entertainment centre, a second Brisbane airport runway, a new cruise ship port and the Cross River rail.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane Metro was "about getting people home quicker and safer, and spending more time arguing about the design of the Cultural Centre Station won't get residents home quicker''.

The Sunday Mail understands the Government insisted on the Cultural Centre Station which was hundreds of millions of dollars more and flood-prone.

The preferred tenderer for the project is the Brisbane Move consortium.

"We've been working with the State Government for almost a year, trying to finalise the design for the Cultural Precinct underground station, and we've agreed the deferral to a later stage was the correct decision so we can get on with the job," Cr Schrinner said.

"It is a very complex project, with many stakeholders, and it's going to take time to finesse the Cultural Centre design, so we will not let this one site delay Brisbane Metro and its 2600 jobs any further."

Cr Schrinner said deferring the Cultural Centre station was the most cost-effective and practical option and the best-value plan for residents.

"It will also minimise disruption to traffic in South Brisbane, which already has major construction under way with the new QPAC theatre being built in Melbourne St," he said.

Cr Schrinner confirmed the construction methodology of the Adelaide Street tunnel would change.

"Instead of the original cut-and-cover design, this section will be bored," he said. "This will minimise traffic disruption and allow us to deliver elements of the Adelaide Street vision."

This would "come at a cost", to be confirmed after discussions with the preferred tenderer are finalised.

Work is also under way on building the Brisbane Metro Depot at Rochedale.

[timh]

^

Good news!

But also worrying. First picture there shows the metro vehicles at ground level, not underground. That's cause for concern.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[verbatim9]

They are redesigning the underground station to combine the Melbourne Street portal. I understand that it will become an above ground activated pedestrian piazza from Grey to Hope Street. The only thing that has changed is the tunnel underneath Adelaide Street. It will be a driven tunnel instead of a cut and covered tunnel.

[verbatim9]

Brisbanetimes ---> Brisbane Metro costs to rise as Cultural Centre station works delayed

Brisbane lord mayor Adrian Schrinner has admitted the cost of the council's Brisbane Metro project will rise while announcing the postponement of major works at the flagship project's contentious Cultural Centre station.

After almost a year of back and forth with the state government over the placement of the South Brisbane station Cr Schrinner said both levels of government had agreed to postpone work there to "get on with the job" of building the rest of the project.

Brisbane Metro vehicles are expected to come in at a cost of about $3.16 million each, according to the latest council figures.

As recently as Tuesday, he said "substantial progress" had been made on the Cultural Centre station design, after Brisbane City Council public and active transport committee chair Ryan Murphy forged a closer working relationship with Transport Minister Mark Bailey.

"It is a very complex project, with many stakeholders and it's going to take time to finesse the Cultural Centre design, so we will not let this one site delay Brisbane Metro and its 2600 jobs any further," Cr Schrinner said on Sunday.

The lord mayor would not reveal any details about the cost increase, citing ongoing negotiations.

Mr Bailey said design work for the station was continuing and welcomed the move to push ahead with other parts of the project.

"Building the Cultural Centre station is a fantastic opportunity to improve Brisbane's cultural heart and our public transport network," Mr Bailey said.

"We'll continue to work with Brisbane City Council through that process while it gets started on other parts of the Metro project."

He called the development a "significant milestone", while noting the state government and the council were still working together on how Brisbane Metro would connect with the wider public transport system, including Cross River Rail.

There are also changes to the construction method for the Adelaide Street tunnel set to funnel Metro electric bus vehicles underground close to City Hall.

"Instead of the original cut-and-cover design, this section will be bored. This will minimise traffic disruption and allow us to deliver elements of the Adelaide Street vision," Cr Schrinner said.

"By tunnelling under Adelaide Street, we can maintain connection along one of Brisbane's busiest streets, as well as minimise disruption to business.

"Work is also under way on the Brisbane Metro depot at Rochedale and we have early works in South Brisbane. The whole project is building momentum.

"We will continue early works around the cultural precinct so that the underground station can be delivered as part of a later stage, future-proofing the project."

Former deputy premier Jackie Trad, who plans to contest her South Brisbane seat at the October state election, said she supported the decision to postpone work at South Brisbane.

"I have always been concerned - as have many local stakeholders - that a huge Metro station outside QPAC would detract and spoil our state's cultural precinct and our city's parklands," she said.

Ms Trad said she wanted shade on the Victoria Bridge and better public use of the space on the corner of Melbourne and Grey streets, adjoining South Brisbane train station alongside the metro.

"I will be suggesting council considers these options as they go forward with Metro works at South Bank," she said.

Earlier this week, the council confirmed a joint tender by infrastructure companies Acciona and Arup had won the bid to develop the major construction work for Brisbane Metro.

At a press conference on Sunday, Cr Schrinner warned the costs of the project would rise but refused to give an estimated price.

"The cost of the project will be finalised as we negotiate the contract in the coming weeks," he said.

"I don't want to jeopardise those negotiations by talking about costs at this stage but we will absolutely release the cost when it is locked in and finalised.

"The reality is that the cost of the project is not getting cheaper as the result of this delay. It will cost more but I believe it will be a better project as a result."