Roads - articles and discussion

[somebody]

Probably the state made a rather large mistake in bailing out this project.

[Golliwog]

Yeah, I don't see the Kedron to Toombul section being a real profit maker, but what MAY save this is the run from Kedron to Bowen Hills. And even that is a big if.

[colinw]

18 months is about how long it will take Clem 7 to go belly up from initial opening, as they had sufficient funds to cover interest payments during the supposed "ramp up" period.  I believe Airport link are structured similarly, so when the traffic fails to cover costs they have something like 18 months grace period before the creditors start circling.

[#Metro]

The toll (set at 2006 prices) between Bowen Hills and Kedron or Toombul has been set at $4.00 while the toll between Kedron and Toombul is $3.00.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airport_Link,_Brisbane

Somehow, I don't think people are going to go through the Clem 7 (ka-ching ka-ching $2) and then go through the Airport Link tunnel (ka-ching ka-ching $4.00) = $6 (possibly more as the $4.00 is 2006 prices if you believe the wiki article), so $12 round trip...

and then there is this:

The BrisConnections consortium predicts 135,000 vehicles a day will use the 6.7km Airport Link route after it opens in 2012 – nearly five times the number currently using the adjoining, struggling Clem7 tunnel.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/bolton-questions-airport-link-forecasts-20100902-14riq.html

You may as well put a toll on the SE Busway, it carries 150 000+ journeys per weekday IIRC...
Compared to the Gateway Bridge http://www.qldmotorways.com.au/childrensactivities/freakyfacts.aspx

Facts on the Gateway Motorway and Gateway Extension
Length - 29 kilometres
Traffic counts - over 100,000 per day over the Bridge
Toll plazas

   * Gateway Bridge
   * Kuraby

Facts on the Logan Motorway
Length - 32 kilometres
Traffic counts - over 90,000 per day.
Toll plazas

   * Stapylton Road
   * Loganlea
   * Paradise Road Interchange

So, this AirportLink tunnel will be carrying more than the Logan Motorway and Gateway Motorways???

If you think it is fantasy putting rail lines everywhere, just look at what is happening with roads!!!

[ozbob]

Add the parking gouge at BNE .... whoa ...   

[ozbob]

http://www.humantransit.org/2011/01/quote-of-the-week-elevated-rail-vs-elevated-freeway.html

quote of the week: elevated rail vs elevated freeway

John A. Miller was one of the few Americans who was puzzled by the construction of elevated highways. "Elevated railways with a capacity of 40,000 persons per hour in one direction are [being] torn down," he wrote in amazement in 1935, "while elevated highways with a capacity of 6,000 persons per hour are being erected."

Robert Fogelson, Downtown, via Market Urbanism

[Jonno]

Article in Couiermail. http://www.couriermail.com.au/travel/news/holidays-jam-packed-with-traffic/story-e6freqwo-1225983213858?

AUSTRALIA'S summer holiday capital is choking on its own success.

With more than three million visitors pouring into the Gold Coast this summer, the city's roads are bursting at the seams as infrastructure struggles to cope with the huge volume of traffic crawling from one tourist attraction to the next.

The wet weather has compounded the problem as more traffic has jammed the roads on fewer fine days.

This has resulted in the roads leading to theme parks and shopping centres being transformed into rolling carparks.

While networks of bus lanes and a $949 million rapid transit system are in the pipeline in an effort to ease the traffic nightmares, some of the problems appear almost terminal.

The Gold Coast Highway, carved through the urban sprawl, has no room for expansion, while roads leading to Surfers Paradise and up to The Spit also have little scope for improvement.


Related Coverage
Cars submerged: Brisbane roads going under

RACQ spokesman Joe Fitzgerald said traffic snarls were part of life on the Gold Coast.

"It's one of the world's favourite tourism spots and unfortunately you are going to get congestion in the holidays, especially heading to the beach, to The Spit or the theme parks," he said.

Sea World arguably has the worst traffic issues, with cars and buses only able to access the theme park via one road which is notoriously busy on weekends and holidays.

On some days this week, Seaworld Drive traffic has moved at a snail's pace as cars banked up for several kilometres over the Sundale Bridge.

A Gold Coast City Council spokesman said there were no plans to upgrade Seaworld Drive in the short term and the area was not part of the first stage of the city's planned light rail network.

He said the big crowds meant motorists should aim to leave plenty of time when travelling to theme parks during the holidays – or catch public transport.

"The 2010-11 Christmas holidays have been particularly wet, with few clear days," he said.

"This has resulted in greater than normal traffic volumes to popular destinations as people try to take advantage of limited fine weather."

A Queensland Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said the impact of wet weather was placing more pressure on road networks over the holidays.

She said the department would meet with theme park operators in the coming weeks to develop improved strategies for dealing with unexpected traffic volumes during peak holiday times.

However, Mr Fitzgerald said there was a bright side to the city's traffic woes.

"Yes, there are problems with traffic during the holidays because there are so many tourists on the roads, but it's probably a good problem to have when you consider the alternative," he said.

Of course the alternative is no tourists not effective local and long distance rail transport!!!  Got to love the RACQ no solution approach!

[colinw]

I would expect no less from the Road Association Congesting Queensland?

[#Metro]

However, Mr Fitzgerald said there was a bright side to the city's traffic woes.

"Yes, there are problems with traffic during the holidays because there are so many tourists on the roads, but it's probably a good problem to have when you consider the alternative," he said.

Maybe they love their cars and enjoy all the free time that congestion give them on the road. 
Seriously, there are huge problems on the Gold Coast. Every weekend the roads choke up, Gold Coast highway is one of the worst, and there is nothing that can be done
about that (road widening) because there are huge towers on either side of it.

Ah yes "its the rain's fault". 
Even when there is no rain, congestion is really bad.

There will always be congestion- the light rail down there really is what is needed to escape it for those who want to escape it.
I predict the LRT will be overloaded and exceed forcasts on day 1. Mark these words!!!
A metro is not possible IMHO because the whole coast is built on sand.

The theme parks are the worst- they just cannot complain, they have car parks so huge they might take up almost the same area as the theme park itself.


This is dreamworld- note the size of the car park,relative to the actual theme park land
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Gold+Coast+QLD&sll=-37.931065,145.066566&sspn=0.086519,0.213032&gl=au&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Gold+Coast+Queensland&ll=-27.863659,153.315051&spn=0.003011,0.008701&t=h&z=18

Warner Bros
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Gold+Coast+QLD&sll=-37.931065,145.066566&sspn=0.086519,0.213032&gl=au&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Gold+Coast+Queensland&ll=-27.906916,153.313576&spn=0.00301,0.008701&t=h&z=18

To be fair there are regular buses, but with the carpark option so big, not that many people use the bus I found...

[ozbob]

There have been extensive delays all over on the road network this morning, and it is not going to get any better in a general sense.  Fuel tankers and cars colliding, massive congestion generally.  Buses caught up of course.

Public transport needs to take over.  The roads solution has failed folks!  Bring back proper bus priority. That way essential delivery vehicles and other necessary vehicles can get around.  

I have been listening to a live radio broadcast from Ipswich on 612 ABC Brisbane.  Many of the commentators have taken 2 to 3 hours to drive from Brisbane to Ipswich.  Crikey, why didn't they catch the train??  Just shows the mind set of many ..

[colinw]

Brisbane Time: Tunnel delay would cost $220m: Council

Brisbane City Council would have to pay $220 million to the contractor of the Legacy Way tunnel if it decided to suspend the project for six months, legal advice shows.

The council's Labor opposition has called for the project's axing as a cost-cutting measure in the wake of last month's floods.

However, it has been revealed ratepayers would have to pay $210 million in compensation, plus an additional $10 million for intellectual property rights, if the tunnel were suspended.

The figure was contained in a February 9 memorandum to the council's Major Infrastructure Projects Office from Legacy Way project commercial manager John Leung.

...

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Brisbane's traffic the most stressful in Australia, says IBM study

Brisbane's traffic the most stressful in Australia, says IBM study

    * by Robyn Ironside
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * February 17, 2011 12:00AM

BRISBANE traffic has been rated the most stressful in the country as a result of poor planning, aggressive drivers and an over-reliance on private cars.

An IBM study of 1556 drivers found 90 per cent of Brisbane motorists felt increasingly stressed by traffic compared with 81 per cent in Adelaide, 78 per cent in Melbourne and 74 per cent in Sydney.

Worldwide, the cities assessed as having the most painful commute, when combined with other factors, were Beijing and Mexico City, followed by Johannesburg, Moscow and New Delhi.

Brisbane ranked 13th, behind Sydney in 10th place.

IBM's Smarter Transportation Industry expert John Hawkins said Brisbane drivers were in a "very stressed environment".

"You've only got a few main arterials and you've got the Port of Brisbane and the airport located off one of them," Mr Hawkins said.

"With the huge growth we've had in Brisbane, that's a huge impact on the ability of people to move around."

Mr Hawkins said Queensland could not build its way out of congestion, but must turn to smart technology.

"The Gateway Bridge going to free-flow tolling is a good example of that, saving commuters on average 13 or 14 minutes of peak travel time," he said.

Griffith University urban planning expert Dr Matt Burke said there was no doubt the daily commute had got worse in Brisbane and projects like the Gateway Bridge duplication, new busways and Clem7 tunnel had done little to help.

"For white-collar workers, all the housing is out there in the suburbs but most of the jobs are in the city centre or its immediate frame, which leads to immense tidal flows of traffic across every mode," he said.

The cities with the least "commuter pain", such as Stockholm and Berlin, had decentralised workforces.

"A lot of their employment is in suburban hubs, closer to people's homes."

Dr Burke said government was slowly decentralising but more work was needed.

"The Office Workplace Relocation Program run by the Department of Public Works is a decentralisation program that's moved some workers out of the City to Ipswich such as the Office of Fair Trading," Dr Burke said.

"But moving workers to Green Square in Fortitude Valley and South Bank isn't really outside the city frame.

"We should be looking at middle and outer suburban locations that are well serviced by public transport, like Chermside, Mount Gravatt and Springfield."

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said public transport was crucial to improving commutes.

"That's why we're undertaking the country's biggest transport infrastructure spend," she said.

She added that other "congestion busting" measures being projected included hi-tech traffic management centres and variable speed limit signs.

A fleet of traffic response units including heavy vehicle recovery units, high visibility electronic message boards and email and SMS alerts for busy motorists were also available.

But Opposition transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said the Government had failed the test on transport planning.

"Labor has not built or planned for improved roads and transport infrastructure to keep pace with the growing population of Queensland," she said.

[ozbob]

  More road blunder --> http://bit.ly/h44lND

[Jonno]

But Ms Simpson has exactly the same approach to transport planning in mind so how will she deliver anything different? New thinking required rather than political name calling.

[Derwan]

"Locations that are well serviced by public transport, like Chermside, Mount Gravatt and Springfield."

Not ONE of these locations is serviced by a train line (yet).  Locating major centres at these locations will only cause MORE congestion - with MORE buses and MORE cars on the same road infrastructure.

MASS public transport can only occur when there is also a train line servicing the location.

We should be looking at greenfield centres (e.g. Flagstone) and do it properly from the start - including a train line from day 1.

[#Metro]

I think BRT will do, but it will get clogged quite quickly. So rail conversion will be on the cards in about 10-15 years IMHO. Note the absolute and deafening silence on this issue in Connecting SEQ 2031.

In 10 years the busway has gone from zero to hero, but it really is very full. Yesterday we saw the first intimations of reaching capacity at Cultural Centre with "minor delays" due to peak hour congestion. The solution is of course to get rid of the intersections, but that is going to be a problem because then you need tunnel or bridge for 100% separation from traffic. There is going to be a bind here because there isn't rail tunnel funding, so why would there be bus tunnel funding. Tunnels are expensive no matter whether you run cars in them, buses or trains.

Springfield well serviced by public transport? If that is held up as a shining example of "good public transport" (it is not, the road layouts
are absolutely horrific for public transport, I've been on a bus through there and it is maze hell) then I have serious concerns.

[somebody]

"Locations that are well serviced by public transport, like Chermside, Mount Gravatt and Springfield."

Not ONE of these locations is serviced by a train line (yet).  Locating major centres at these locations will only cause MORE congestion - with MORE buses and MORE cars on the same road infrastructure.

MASS public transport can only occur when there is also a train line servicing the location.

We should be looking at greenfield centres (e.g. Flagstone) and do it properly from the start - including a train line from day 1.

Chermside and Mt Gravatt do have quite good PT, even without a train line.  I wouldn't say that they need to have a train line to have good PT in the hearing of people from Cleveland or even Ipswich, for example.

[Derwan]

Chermside and Mt Gravatt do have quite good PT, even without a train line.  I wouldn't say that they need to have a train line to have good PT in the hearing of people from Cleveland or even Ipswich, for example.

I don't dispute that they have quite good PT that is adequate today.  But they're talking about turning these places into major hubs.... mini-CBD's.  Will buses be enough?

[somebody]

Chermside and Mt Gravatt do have quite good PT, even without a train line.  I wouldn't say that they need to have a train line to have good PT in the hearing of people from Cleveland or even Ipswich, for example.

I don't dispute that they have quite good PT that is adequate today.  But they're talking about turning these places into major hubs.... mini-CBD's.  Will buses be enough?

It may be the least efficient form of PT when you are moving large numbers of people, but the priority with the rail system is getting decent service to the existing lines rather than expanding to new lines.  IMO.

[Derwan]

the priority with the rail system is getting decent service to the existing lines rather than expanding to new lines.  IMO.

True.  In that case, perhaps we should be looking to locate new major centres somewhere along existing rail lines?

[#Metro]

It may be the least efficient form of PT when you are moving large numbers of people, but the priority with the rail system is getting decent service to the existing lines rather than expanding to new lines.  IMO.

Agreed. Frequency now, extensions later.

[mufreight]

It may be the least efficient form of PT when you are moving large numbers of people, but the priority with the rail system is getting decent service to the existing lines rather than expanding to new lines.  IMO.

Agreed. Frequency now, extensions later.

Do you consider CRR as an extension or as additional infrastructure required to increase frequencies?   

[colinw]

My take on it is that it is not 100% one or the other, but its primary purpose is infrastructure upgrade for additional capacity.

I think its benefits can be characterised as about 70% additional capacity, 20% extension, and 10% other benefits.

The 70% part is to provide desperately needed inner city capacity for the south side routes to Beenleigh & Gold Coast, which will then get a major frequency upgrade.  Cleveland will get a frequency boost as well as slots are freed on the Merivale Bridge, and there will be flow on effects elsewhere in the system.

The 20% part is extension of rail system coverage to Woolloongabba (including another busway interchange), the southern end of the CBD, and Exhibition / Herston.  This is a genuine extension of system reach to some major potential passenger generators, with knock on development benefits.

The 10% part is reduction of junction conflicts at Tennyson, improved journey times for Beenleigh & Gold Coast line, capacity to implement the future line to Browns Plains/Greenbank/Flagstone, and general "future proofing" and additional network robustness via alternate routes being available.

[#Metro]

Do you consider CRR as an extension or as additional infrastructure required to increase frequencies?  

My view is simply this: CRR1 will probably not be operational until 2020. Should we wait until 2020 before we ditch 30 minute frequency?
My answer is no because this can be done now. Perhaps not to all stations, as that would require extra infrastructure, but
certainly to a significant number.

We can still get a good PT system while we wait for government to get organised around CRR.
Frequency boost is the fastest way. Even springfield can get rail access by running buses to Richlands or Darra while
we wait for extensions.

None of this should be mis-construed as "don't build CRR" of course we need CRR, but we need a few other things
to tide us over in the meantime.

[Stillwater]

A large proportion of CRR is about 'value capture', which is why developers want it to go ahead asap.  CRR will open up four or five new sites in the city, of which Woolloongabba is the best example, for heaps of new development.  In turn, developers will be asked to contribute to the CRR construction cost.  Augmentation projects that improve frequency on the existing network will need to be paid for by the state government, with the developers not prepared to pay a brass razoo.

[#Metro]

I don't know it that is entirely true.
If I increase the frequency at station X
and that induces TOD around it, then surely the state will be collecting fees, stamp duties etc from that?

[Stillwater]

The $8 billion figure for the cost of CRR was always dodgy.  The finance sector is now talking about a $14 billion project cost, which sounds more realistic.  However, at that cost, what of the benefit-cost analysis?

http://corviewgroup.com/cross-river-rail.html

Let's hope the benefits have not been worked out on an $8 billion construction cost.  If those benefits disappear due to a six billion dollar cost 'overrun'.

[#Metro]

The benefits are around 30 billion from the ICRCS?

Cross River Rail the highest priority transport project in South East Queensland. It is the single largest upgrade the 400km city rail network since the completion of the Merivale bridge in 1978. The mulit-billion dollar project is designed to relieve inner city capacity constraints which restrict the efficient operation of the system.

400 km of rail! Why is public transport so bad in this city when we have these gigantic pieces of infrastructure lying around. 

[somebody]

My take on it is that it is not 100% one or the other, but its primary purpose is infrastructure upgrade for additional capacity.

I think its benefits can be characterised as about 70% additional capacity, 20% extension, and 10% other benefits.

The 70% part is to provide desperately needed inner city capacity for the south side routes to Beenleigh & Gold Coast, which will then get a major frequency upgrade.  Cleveland will get a frequency boost as well as slots are freed on the Merivale Bridge, and there will be flow on effects elsewhere in the system.

The 20% part is extension of rail system coverage to Woolloongabba (including another busway interchange), the southern end of the CBD, and Exhibition / Herston.  This is a genuine extension of system reach to some major potential passenger generators, with knock on development benefits.

The 10% part is reduction of junction conflicts at Tennyson, improved journey times for Beenleigh & Gold Coast line, capacity to implement the future line to Browns Plains/Greenbank/Flagstone, and general "future proofing" and additional network robustness via alternate routes being available.

My split would be more like 70/5/25.

[ozbob]

Twitter

ptua
 
Age: In industrialised countries around the world, car ownership among the young is plummeting.  http://j.mp/eo3o2C

[somebody]

the priority with the rail system is getting decent service to the existing lines rather than expanding to new lines.  IMO.

True.  In that case, perhaps we should be looking to locate new major centres somewhere along existing rail lines?

If somewhere has good PT, a developer would likely be interested in developing there as there would be reduced need to provide parking.  Or at least that's my theory.

[ozbob]

Has Airtrain missed the bus?

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

Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
28/02/2011

AIRPORT FLYOVER OPENS ALL LANES - 9 MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

All four lanes on the new Airport Flyover are open to traffic as of first thing this morning slashing up to 10 minutes off city-airport journeys.

The major milestone marks the end of major works as part of the Bligh Government's $327 million Airport Roundabout Upgrade project.

Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade Andrew Fraser said drivers were on the road well ahead of schedule.

"The Airport bound lanes were opened a year ahead of schedule and this morning the westbound lanes took their first cars nine months early," Mr Fraser said.

"This is a massive infrastructure project both in terms of sheer size and for its logistical issues. It is a testament to those involved that it is open so early.

"Every year 17 million vehicles use this intersection. What used to be one of Brisbane's worst traffic bottlenecks has been ripped up, demolished and replaced by the new flyover and fast diamond intersection, which I'm pleased to say is now officially open.

"Free for all motorists, this flyover with two lanes east and two lanes west is slashing travel times to and from the Airport by up to 10 minutes.

"From today, up to 3,600 vehicles will be able to cross the overpass every hour.

"With record breaking rainfall over the last couple of months, construction contractor Thiess John Holland, has defied the odds by finishing this project nine months ahead of time."

Thiess John Holland Project Director Gordon Ralph congratulated the team of up to 400 workers who had contributed to the Airport Roundabout Upgrade project since construction began in April 2009.

CEO of BrisConnections Dr Ray Wilson said when the Airport Link project is completed in 2012, access to the Brisbane Airport for motorists would be better than any other airport in Australia.

Next month the 20m-high flyover will be handed to the Department of Transport and Main Roads to manage and will be free for all drivers.

The project involved:

   * A new four lane 750m bridge linking East West Arterial Road and Airport Drive over the Gateway Motorway overpass;
   * Replacing the existing Gateway Motorway overpass at the roundabout with a new four lane overpass;
   * Replacing the existing roundabout with a high capacity signalised intersection;
   * The upgrade of the intersection at East West Arterial and Nudgee Roads;
   * Widening of East West Arterial Road to three traffic lanes in each direction;
   * Improved connections to the airport precinct, the Gateway Motorway and Kingsford Smith Drive; and
   * Surface road improvements to Airport Drive.

The project, which is being designed and constructed by Thiess John Holland, along with the Airport Link and Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron), is part of a massive $4.8 billion infrastructure investment on Brisbane's Northside.

The combined Airport Link projects are the biggest infrastructure construction underway in Australia.

The Airport Link and Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) are on schedule for completion by mid-2012, with the Airport Roundabout Upgrade set to open this month.

Visit www.brisconnections.com.au to register for SMS and email updates on traffic changes and project progress.

Project Achievements:

·More than 70% of construction complete

·15 million hours worked

·More than 3,800 people are working across the projects

·$2.9 billion spent

·More than 80% of all spoil excavated

·More than 80% of service relocations complete

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

[#Metro]

Inflation adjusted to 2010, this flyover ($327 million) cost more than the entire construction of the AirTrain line ($295 million, 2010 dollars).

[mufreight]

Saved ten minutes, I doubt it, they have simply moved the congestion a few hundred metres down the road for drivers to sit and wait.

[Stillwater]

TRANSLATION:

"What used to be one of Brisbane's worst traffic bottlenecks has been ripped up, demolished and replaced by the new flyover and fast diamond intersection, which I'm pleased to say is now officially open." - Andrew Fraser

Meaning: "Through lack of foresight and good planning that failed to take account of projected traffic volumes initially, we inadvertedly created a traffic bottleneck that, unfortunately, required us to waste some of your taxpayer dollars in having to fix up our original mistake.  However, that has required us to spend even more of your money.  We think we have got it right this time.  In any event, we are making a big deal of this in order to convince you that we have spent your money effectively."

[colinw]

Meaning: "Through lack of foresight and good planning that failed to take account of projected traffic volumes initially, we inadvertedly created a traffic bottleneck that, unfortunately, required us to waste some of your taxpayer dollars in having to fix up our original mistake.  However, that has required us to spend even more of your money.  We think we have got it right this time.  In any event, we are making a big deal of this in order to convince you that we have spent your money effectively."

... and to pay for it we'll be deferring Sunshine Coast line duplication for an additional 10 years.

[Stillwater]

Actually, that is an issue.  The Treasurer of Queensland is now in charge of major infrastructure projects in this state, probably because of the large sums of money involved and the need to get the finances right, without cost overruns.

Traditional Treasury thinking is that roads are an investment (once built they require annual maintenance after about 10 years, but that can be factored into a budget).  Rail, on the other hand, is a COST.  Unlike the road, where u just lay the bitumen, rail does not require simply laying the track.  You must spend $ on the trains, $ on the crews, and no matter how much money you charge the customers, you never get your money back.

Does anyone know where Mr Fraser stands on PT investment?  Perhaps some relevant group could invite him to give a keynote address on the issue at their annual conference, or an industry meeting.

[ozbob]

Courier Mail --> Queensland highways the riskiest in nation, says Australian Road Assessment Program

Road trauma IS breaking the nation click --> here!

[somebody]

Courier Mail --> Queensland highways the riskiest in nation, says Australian Road Assessment Program

Road trauma IS breaking the nation click --> here!

Queensland's Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace said he welcomed the detail of the report, which highlighted the "40 years of neglect" by subsequent Federal Governments, which fund national highways.

So, it's all the Feds fault for not giving us enough money??  Where do these ****ers get off!

Did you see Federal funding for the Epping-Chatswood Rail Link?  Regional Fast Rail in Victoria?  Mandurah line?  Note: I'm not ruling out that there was Federal funding which I am unaware of.  Not too sure about the Bondi Junction line.  Seems there is a culture here that the Feds, meaning other states, should pay for everything. 

[ozbob]

More evidence of the failing paradigm?  Botched at all levels!

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

From the Courier Mail click here!

Airport Link neighbours face traffic surge

Airport Link neighbours face traffic surge

    * Robyn Ironside
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * March 07, 2011 12:00AM

TRAVEL-TIME savings of up to 15 minutes for Brisbane's Airport Link could come at a high price for drivers in surrounding suburbs.

A technical report prepared for the Coordinator-General in 2008 but not previously made public shows 15 roads on Brisbane's northside will carry up to 17,000 more vehicles a day when the $4.8 billion tollway between Bowen Hills and Toombul opens next year.

The four-lane Stafford Rd at Gordon Park will be hardest hit, with traffic volumes forecast to leap by 61 per cent or 15,100 vehicles a day.

In response, the State Government is planning to ``reduce demand for car travel'' on Stafford Rd by building a cycleway and transit lanes between Everton Park and Kedron. But residents said they had no idea how the road could cope with that much extra traffic.

"I can't see the road being capable of taking that increase,'' resident James Dale said. ``I sort of think Stafford Rd's at capacity now.''

And Suzanne Foley said Stafford Rd was, in reality, only two lanes because parking was allowed on either side.

"If they're talking about traffic increasing by 61 per cent, that would really be problematic. It will be like peak hour all day long,'' Ms Foley said.

Airport Link is tipped to add 17,100 vehicles a day to the East-West Arterial at Hendra (up 31 per cent) and Campbell St at Bowen Hills will be clogged with an additional 7800 vehicles a day, up 47 per cent on current volumes. Other significant increases in traffic loads are expected for Gympie Rd at Kedron, the Inner City Bypass, Brookes St and Montpelier Rd at Bowen Hills and Nudgee Rd north of the East-West Arterial.

But Treasurer Andrew Fraser said traffic volumes would fall on Lutwyche Rd, Newmarket Rd, Kingsford Smith Drive, Sandgate Rd and South Pine Rd once Airport Link opened.

Providing the tollway reached its forecast of 136,000 trips a day, traffic on Lutwyche Rd should be cut by up to 40 per cent (38,500 vehicles) and on Newmarket Rd by a third (10,300 vehicles).

"Airport Link is designed to unclog congestion in Brisbane's inner north,'' Mr Fraser said. "It will reduce rat-running through our suburban streets and divert traffic to our major arterials.''

The report emphasises the forecasts are ``conservative'' because they do not incorporate the potential for peak periods to spread beyond two hours in the morning and afternoon.

A BrisConnections spokeswoman said improvements to the capacity of Stafford Rd were a matter for the State Government.

Under the Western Brisbane Transport Network Strategy there are plans to provide transit lanes on Stafford Rd between Everton Park and Kedron and add a "high-quality cycleway''.

An urban motorway tunnel under Stafford Rd is under consideration to "cater for the significant additional demand to and from Airport Link''.

The department was unable to say when the planned changes to Stafford Rd would be made.

Brian Nally, of the Kalinga Wooloowin Residents' Association, said residents were concerned about predicted traffic volumes.

"It is one thing to reduce traffic on the major roads, but we also need to reduce traffic where people live,'' Mr Nally said.