Roads - articles and discussion

[techblitz]

ALMOST one in four Brisbane commuters wants more flexible working hours to avoid traffic congestion, according to a national commuter survey.

While this desperately needs to happen to reduce the congestion bill(leaving more money for infrastructure).......I do wonder what the same people would say if they were put onto salary(no o/time) and made to work weekends instead of weekdays 

[Stillwater]

"Brisbane residents were the most unhappy in the country with public transport. About 40 per cent said it was too expensive or unreliable."

It's nice to quantify these things.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/967788949656633344

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/danielbowen/status/967865470358454272

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/968154101560221697

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Call for more efficient roads after commuter frustration revealed in RACQ data

MORETON BAY commuters take the longest amount of time in southeast Queensland to get to work, according to new RACQ data.

The new RACQ research, which surveyed southeast Queenslanders about their daily commute, found Moreton Bay commuters took on average 44.4 minutes to travel 29.2kms.

Yet despite the Bruce Highway crawl at certain times of the day, the data claimed the average speed during the commute for Moreton Bay residents was 43.8km/h.

Brisbane locals spent an average of 30.8 minutes getting to work and travelled a distance of 14.8km, at just 29.8km/h.

RACQ spokesman Paul Turner said the data would not surprise Brisbane commuters who regularly got stuck in gridlock on their way to work.

"Across the city, it's clear we have a congestion problem. To think it takes 30 minutes to travel a measly 15km is crazy," Mr Turner said.

The research also revealed 43.1 per cent of Brisbane commuters wanted improved public transport services and almost 20 per cent wanted to see specific roads upgraded or widened.

Mr Turner said all levels of government should prioritise investment in roads and transport infrastructure.

"We need governments to prioritise road projects which will enhance our network's efficiency and safety, and by investing in key public transport projects, we'll see an improvement to our city's commute time," he said.

"An effective and connected public transport system, where projects like Brisbane Metro and Cross River Rail complement the evolving transport system, will also reduce pinch points in the public transport network."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/974533248754769927

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/976126995456180229

[ozbob]

26th March 2018

Media Release
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Ipswich Motorway Upgrade flying through

A mammoth roads project set to make life easier for people living west of Brisbane is a step closer to completion, with detailed design for stage one of the $400 million Ipswich Motorway Upgrade: Rocklea to Darra, now finalised.

Flyover footage showing what the project will eventually look like has also been released to mark the occasion.

Federal Urban Infrastructure and Cities Minister Paul Fletcher said the project had hit the ground running, with construction ramping up since starting in October last year.

"Relief is in sight for the 85,000 motorists who use the Ipswich Motorway daily, including more than 12,000 trucks that are experiencing delays that are currently putting pressure on our freight network and increasing the risks associated with road accidents," Mr Fletcher said.

"This project will also support 470 direct and indirect jobs – yet another great example of how the Australian Government's $14.1 billion investment in infrastructure across Queensland is creating jobs and delivering the roads communities and businesses need to thrive."

State Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the upgrade would help reduce congestion and improve safety for the thousands of motorists who used the motorway every day.

"We know that Ipswich is booming, and that's why this project is so vital," Mr Bailey said.

"Creating an easier, quicker commute is a key concern for so many people who live in this area, and I'm proud to say we are getting closer to completing this upgrade."

Mr Bailey said he was pleased with the progress of the upgrade works so far, and welcomed the release of the digital flythrough footage.

The flyover can be viewed at https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/I/Ipswich-Motorway-Upgrade-Rocklea-to-Darra-Stage-1-Granard-Road-to-Oxley-Road.

The Ipswich Motorway Upgrade: Rocklea to Darra - Stage 1 is jointly funded by the Australian Government and the Queensland Government on a shared 50:50 basis and is expected to be completed in late 2020.

For further project information, please call the project team 1800 204 990 or at contactus@r2d1.com.au.

[kram0]

26th March 2018

Media Release
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Ipswich Motorway Upgrade flying through

A mammoth roads project set to make life easier for people living west of Brisbane is a step closer to completion, with detailed design for stage one of the $400 million Ipswich Motorway Upgrade: Rocklea to Darra, now finalised.

Flyover footage showing what the project will eventually look like has also been released to mark the occasion.

Federal Urban Infrastructure and Cities Minister Paul Fletcher said the project had hit the ground running, with construction ramping up since starting in October last year.

"Relief is in sight for the 85,000 motorists who use the Ipswich Motorway daily, including more than 12,000 trucks that are experiencing delays that are currently putting pressure on our freight network and increasing the risks associated with road accidents," Mr Fletcher said.

"This project will also support 470 direct and indirect jobs – yet another great example of how the Australian Government's $14.1 billion investment in infrastructure across Queensland is creating jobs and delivering the roads communities and businesses need to thrive."

State Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the upgrade would help reduce congestion and improve safety for the thousands of motorists who used the motorway every day.

"We know that Ipswich is booming, and that's why this project is so vital," Mr Bailey said.

"Creating an easier, quicker commute is a key concern for so many people who live in this area, and I'm proud to say we are getting closer to completing this upgrade."

Mr Bailey said he was pleased with the progress of the upgrade works so far, and welcomed the release of the digital flythrough footage.

The flyover can be viewed at https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/I/Ipswich-Motorway-Upgrade-Rocklea-to-Darra-Stage-1-Granard-Road-to-Oxley-Road.

The Ipswich Motorway Upgrade: Rocklea to Darra - Stage 1 is jointly funded by the Australian Government and the Queensland Government on a shared 50:50 basis and is expected to be completed in late 2020.

For further project information, please call the project team 1800 204 990 or at contactus@r2d1.com.au.

Yet another project that is half a job. Why not do stage one and two and finish the job properly. Have they put a time frame on stage 2?

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Malcolm Turnbull to allocate $150m for Bruce Highway upgrade

UPDATE: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has confirmed more upgrades are coming for the Bruce Highway as he pledged to get the people of Murrumba Downs home "sooner and safer'' with new highway ramps.

Mr Turnbull has announced the new ramps at Murrumba Downs onto the Sunshine Coast Motorway will be built in a joint arrangement with the State Government which is expected to put up 20 per cent of the estimated $150 million cost.

The ramps are expected to end years of frustration for the people of Murrumba Downs and surrounding areas including Griffin who have limited access to the highway.

"This investment will ensure they will travel home more safely and get home sooner,'' Mr Turnbull said.

"This is the answer to congestion.''

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, the federal member for the northside Brisbane electorate of Dickson, said families being stuck in traffic and congestion was a big problem in Australian cities.

"We need excellent infrastructure and the Turnbull Government is providing that,'' he said.

Mr Turnbull said his government would be making more announcements on upgrades to the Bruce Highway with a funding commitment of $6.7 billion on the table.

OVERNIGHT: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will announce a $150 million cash splash for the M1 section of the Bruce Highway north of Brisbane, in what is expected to be the first in a series of "substantial infrastructure projects" that will be part of this year's Budget.

It will be the first day of his three-day Queensland blitz, which will include a trip to the state's regions tomorrow before attending the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

Mr Turnbull's Queensland sojourn follows polling yesterday which revealed two-party-preferred support for Labor in the state had fallen by four points to 51 per cent.

A big cash splash on road and other infrastructure projects is expected for Queensland in the Budget next month, which will likely be the last before the election.

Queensland will be a key election battleground state and has the three most marginal seats in the country, Capricornia, Herbert and Forde, all held with a margin of less than 1 per cent.

The $150 million will go towards fixing a notorious bottleneck on the Bruce Highway at Murrumba Downs.

It comes as the M1 Bruce Highway was gridlocked between Sunshine Coast and north Brisbane on Monday as the Easter long weekend traffic took its toll.

It is understood Member for Dickson Peter Dutton and Member for Petrie Luke Howarth lobbied hard to get the road fix funding.

Both MPs' seats are marginal and both will have to fight to hold on to them at the election, expected next year.

The upgrade will create a northbound entry and southbound exit for the highway at the Dohles Rocks Rd interchange.

Mr Dutton said the project would ease congestion to and from the Sunshine Coast and take pressure of local roads for 5000 families living in Murrumba Downs and Griffin.

"The rapid growth in the Murrumba Downs and Griffin areas means these new ramps will get massive usage and make travel more convenient for locals," he said.

It will be 80 per cent funded by the Federal Government with the State needed to chip in the remainder.

The money for the Dohles Rocks Rd interchange upgrade is in addition to the $530 million allocated to upgrades between Bribie Island Rd and Steve Irwin Way.

[red dragin]

It's been well noted for years that despite the fact the land exists for these ramps, they are too close to the Anzac Ave (North Lakes) exit under the 'road manual' rules.

No argument that they are needed though.
Interestingly, local Council is about to install traffic lights on Dohles Rocks Rd at the existing ramps intersections. I wonder if they will need rebuilding when this project gets underway 

[Gazman]

Surely... surely the works council are funding will take into consideration the federal works.

Agreed that for local residents this will no doubt be of great benefit. But it will do nothing to help congestion. The afternoon peak between Dohles Rocks Rd and Anzac Ave slows down enough as it is with people doing the last minute lane switch. Add in merging traffic to that...   

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> M1 funding: $1b to ease congestion south of Brisbane

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull will today pledge a $1 billion congestion-buster to help slash travel times and end the road rage between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

In a win for families, tradies and tourists, the new cash splash will create more lanes, widen others and extend busways at two bottle necks that often become car parks as early as 5am.

Just days after announcing $150 million for upgrades to the M1 north of Brisbane, Mr Turnbull will return to Queensland today with his cheque book to fix congestion between Varsity Lakes and Tugun at the Gold Coast end of the motorway, and Brisbane's Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill at Logan.

Mr Turnbull told The Courier-Mail he wanted to ensure Queenslanders spent less time in traffic and more time with their families.

"The Turnbull Government understands the drive from the Gold Coast to Brisbane should take one hour, not two, and we are taking action to fix that,'' Mr Turnbull said.

"The M1 is one of the most important and heavily-congested routes in Queensland, with nearly 30 million tonnes of freight moving between NSW and Queensland each year and between 50,0000 and 155,00 vehicles a day using sections of the M1 from Springwood to Tugun."

The pre-Budget announcement, which requires the Queensland government to match the investment, has a number of components.

The Varsity Lakes to Tugun project is expected to include widening of both the north and southbound carriageways to six lanes, a direct northbound off-ramp from the M1 to Southport-Burleigh Rd, ramp upgrades with ramp controls, auxiliary lanes, pavement reconstruction works and better cycling and walking connections between centres.

The Eight Miles Plains to Daisy Hill project is expected to include widening the motorway from six to eight lanes, ramp consolidation, managed motorways technology, extending the busway to Springwood, supporting bus priority south of Springwood and better active transport connections between centres.

The State Government is already undertaking preliminary business cases for both projects, and it would be questionable if it did not stump up the cash.

It will be asked to provide its detailed business cases so the Commonwealth "can release this funding and get work under way ... as soon as possible".

The known problems of the bottlenecks were heeded by Queenslanders, who have stayed off the roads for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games chairman Peter Beattie admitted this week some people may have stayed away from the event in fear of motoring mayhem.

"Naturally the campaign we ran about getting people off the M1 worked – we didn't want people on the M1 because we all know the M1 is a bit of a dog, so the last thing we wanted was people on it,'' Mr Beattie said on Sunday.

Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen, who holds his seat by a wafer-thin margin of 0.6 per cent, said there needed to be the same standard of road from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, and the Logan stretch had been the missing link.

"This is the No.1 issue bar none (in Forde), and motorists are sick and tired of sitting in traffic,'' Mr van Manen said.

He said some tradies were left driving at 30km an hour from 5am.

Mr van Manen was among colleagues, including Karen Andrews and Ross Vasta, who lobbied for the cash.

WHAT HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN ANNOUNCED

Aside from the recent announcements, the Turnbull Government has previously committed funding to two projects on the M1 which are scheduled to start in coming months: $115 million for the Pacific Motorway-Gateway Merge and $110 million for the Pacific Motorway-Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes project. The new Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill project is stage two of the Pacific Motorway-Gateway Merge project.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland wants flexibility from federal government on $1bn M1 funding

Queensland's Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey wants Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to be flexible with his promised $1 billion Gold Coast highway funding.

Mr Bailey has asked for the section from Varsity Lakes to the Queensland-New South Wales border to be upgraded quickly, allowing the entire Queensland M1 section to become six lanes first.

The federal government has divided its $1 billion of funding for two sections of the M1; from Eight Miles Plains to Daisy Hill and then a second section from Varsity Lakes to Tugun on the border.

However, the Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill section includes widening some sections from six lanes to eight lanes and extending the busway to Springwood.

Mr Bailey has argued for debate on how the money is allocated.

"They should be flexible in how that money is rolled out," Mr Bailey said.

"So we can get that section from Varsity Lakes to the border done and it can be six lanes all the way, in conjunction with Cross River Rail," he said.

Mr Bailey said Queensland had brought forward $206 million to upgrade the Pacific Motorway from Varsity Lakes to the border.

"If you put the whole pot of $1 billion together with our $206 million then we can absolutely fund that section from Varsity Lakes to the border," he said.

The Queensland government already has two smaller M1 highway projects ready to begin straight after the Commonwealth Games.

They are the sections dubbed the Gateway "merge" from Eight Mile Plains to Rochedale and the Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes section. They are both to be completed by 2020.

The Queensland government has committed the $206 million for these two projects with extra money from the federal government, originally from a $500 million joint-funding pot announced in March 2017.

Mr Bailey welcomed Tuesday's funding, but said he had not received a phone call, nor an email, or any paper work from a federal minister about the funding promise and noted Mr Turnbull was very unpopular in Queensland, suggesting the announcement was linked to the Coalition finishing behind Labor in 30 consecutive Newspolls.

Mr Turnbull on Tuesday afternoon confirmed the $1 billion would go to the two M1 highway projects which "ran on" from the already-funded Gateway "merge" and Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes projects which will begin in weeks and finish in 2020.

"They will then be followed by these projects, Mr Turnbull said.

'So what we are seeing is continued investment, bringing Queenslanders home sooner and safer," he said.

"$1 billion congestion-busting dollars. Queenslanders will have more hours at home with their families instead of being stuck in a car park on the M1."

Mr Bailey said it would cost about $2 billion to upgrade the Pacific Motorway from Brisbane to Tugun.

He still questioned why some federal highways in urban areas are funded 80-20 - such as the Gateway Arterial and sections of the Bruce Highway- and others are funded 50-50 by state and federal governments.

"If the Bruce Highway to the north of Brisbane is funded 80-20 and the Pacific Motorway south of the border is funded 80-20, why isn't the road that connects it funded 80-20?" Mr Bailey said.

"If National Land Transport Network Roads only get 50-50 funding as the Coalition argues, then why are they funding the Gateway Arterial North on an 80-20 basis?"

Mr Turnbull dismissed that argument and said historically all Gold Coast M1 highway projects were funded 50:50 by federal and state governments.

"Historically the practice has always been for both LNP and Labor governments for the federal and the state has always been for the funding to be 50:50 on the M1," he said.

"And the existing projects; the Gateway merge and the Mudgereeba to Varsity Lakes projects are 50:50 projects."

Federal Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher said the Queensland government now needed to develop detailed business cases for the two newer projects to Infrastructure Australia.

Mr Bailey said the business case was already finalised for the "southern section" of the Pacific Motorway from Varsity Lakes to the border.

Mr Bailey said the "business case" for the section around Springwood and the Gateway merge would be finished by the end of the year and then it would need to go out to tender.

Queensland's Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said she would press Queensland's case when she meets with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday afternoon.

However, she said the Queensland government should simply match the $1 billion federal funding promise.

"Malcolm Turnbull has put $1 billion on the table and Annastacia Palaszczuk should do the same in the upcoming state budget.

"Drivers are sick of political point-scoring and just want action to fix the M1."

However, Mr Bailey pointed out it has already contributed an extra $760 million; $335 million to Gold Coast roads, doubling the Coomera to Helensvale rail line at a cost of $163 million and contributing $270 million of the $440 million light rail project; in addition to funding the $5 billion Cross River Rail.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Editorial: Decision made on M1, now get on with it

ANYONE who has traversed the M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast in recent days would have experienced something akin to a motoring nirvana.

Drivers have so emphatically abandoned the integral route that visitors to southeast Queensland might be wondering why anyone would be pondering adding extra capacity.

The absence of traffic on this southern stretch of the M1, however, is not normal.

It's a product of warnings from the Queensland Government about potential chaos during the 11-day Commonwealth Games.

Spooking drivers about the perils of travelling between Queensland's two most populated cities isn't a long-term solution though.

That's why Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's announcement yesterday to invest significant money in the motorway is so welcome.

Mr Turnbull has promised to widen two critical tranches of the motorway; between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill and from Varsity Lakes to Tugun.

Both projects were recently listed as "priority initiatives" in Infrastructure Australia's recent priority list.

While business cases have not been finalised for either project, the challenges that the M1 faces are glaringly obvious.

The Pacific Motorway section of the M1 is one of the busiest roads in Australia and now carries in excess of 150,000 vehicles per day.

Southbound traffic after the Gateway Motorway merge routinely grinds to a halt simply because of vehicle volumes.

A combined 6600 hours of vehicle delays a day are expected in the future along the stretch between Varsity Lakes and Tugun.

When there's an accident in one direction, M1 travel is near impossible.

Amid a growing population in the region and an expanding freight task, the argument for significant upgrades to the southern M1 is sound.

Sadly, however, the federal and state governments are bickering again about the fund split on the motorway, which will only delay the proposed upgrades.

The Federal Government wants to split the estimated $2 billion cost 50/50 while the State Government wants to tip in only 20 per cent.

It would be easy to write off the State Government's position as miserly and an act of partisan politics.

However the Federal Government has proceeded with 80/20 funding on other parts of the national road network, including the Pacific Highway on the NSW side of the border.

While the Commonwealth insists 80/20 splits are for regional projects, this arrangement has been entered into for the northern stretch of the Gateway Motorway section of the M1.

Federal attention to Queensland's infrastructure needs is certainly welcome.

Hopefully more money will flow soon to other high-priority projects, like upgrading the rail line between Kuraby and Beenleigh and improving the Yamanto interchange on the Cunningham Highway.

Motorists don't care which level of government pays for what, they just want to get to their destination in reasonable time.

It's past time that our governments establish concrete guidelines for road investment and get on with the job of tackling congestion.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/984259574675865600

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane's most unpopular toll roads revealed

MOTORISTS are avoiding key toll roads with barely any increase over the past year.

LOGAN Motorway and AirportlinkM7 recorded the strongest growth of the city's toll roads with more than 200,000 daily trips in the past nine months.

Average daily traffic on the Logan Motorway increased 3.5 per cent in the nine months to 169,000 vehicles. On the AirportlinkM7, daily trips increased 5.5 per cent to 60,000.

Legacy Way and the Go Between Bridge remain the city's least popular toll roads.

The Go Between Bridge, linking the Intercity Bypass to West End, remains the city's least popular toll route, with traffic remaining unchanged at 11,000 average daily trips in the nine months to the end of March. Legacy Way's daily trips rose 4.5 per cent to 19,000.

Those figures sparked calls from the RACQ for toll operator Transurban to offer incentives to use less popular toll roads instead of congested non-toll routes.

Transurban said that about 404,000 average daily trips were made on the city's toll roads in the nine months, a 3 per cent increase. Gateway Motorway daily trips increased 1.3 per cent to 117,000 while the Clem7 rose 2.7 per cent to 28,000.

RACQ head of public policy Rebecca Michael said congestion on major roads in Brisbane was increasing as cash-strapped motorists avoided tolls.

Ms Michael said Transurban needed to look at discounts or toll bundling to make it more affordable for motorists to use those roads.

On average, only 11,000 trips are recorded daily on the inner-city Go Between Bridge.

"Transport costs in Brisbane are among the highest in the country so motorists are avoiding roads like Legacy Way in favour on non-tolled routes," Ms Michael said.

"If Transurban looked at discounts or bundling of tolls, it would reduce peak time congestion on non-toll routes."

Transurban Group Executive Queensland Sue Johnson said the company was seeing good traffic growth, particularly from large vehicles.

Ms Johnson said traffic volumes were in line with expectations given major road works were underway on the Gateway, Inner City Bypass and Logan Motorway.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/986849183641382912

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/5/1/statement-from-transport-and-main-roads-minister-mark-bailey

Media Statements

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Tuesday, May 01, 2018

Statement from Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey

I was advised late yesterday that the Department of Transport and Main Roads has instructed the contractor delivering the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing to suspend work at Piers 2 and 3 of the Viaduct section of the project.

This action follows two serious incidents at the project late last week which are under investigation by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

There is a well-documented history of health and safety incidents on this project, so these recent reports are extremely concerning and we are taking them very seriously.

These works are to remain suspended until:

-     a period of 7 days from the date of receipt of the Notice; or

-     an earlier time agreed with the State in writing, upon the State being satisfied that risk to health and safety is being managed in accordance with Best Industry Practices.

I am not satisfied with the operations on this site – the safety of workers is paramount.

That is why I instructed my Director General to appoint an independent audit of the site earlier this year.

That process has been underway. It was due to Government by the end of April, and I expect to receive a copy of the report later today.

It's also why Minister Grace and I took the unprecedented step of meeting with the principal contractor Nexus on site on 23 February 2018 to directly express the Government's concerns.

We made it clear that given there have been so many plant rollovers and serious concerns raised by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ), we need to see a significant improvement.

It may be unusual for us to have taken this step but these are unusual circumstances and should underscore the gravity with which the Palaszczuk Government views this matter and our commitment to safety at work.

ENDS

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/5/1/queensland-motorists-to-be-safer-thanks-to-112-million-investment

Media Statements

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Tuesday, May 01, 2018

Queensland motorists to be safer thanks to $112 million investment

The Palaszczuk Government has announced a $112 million investment in life-saving upgrades to improve six high-risk roads in Queensland as part of National Road Safety Week.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the upgrades would begin in July and should be completed by mid 2021.

"Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy, and the Palaszczuk Government is doing everything we can to reduce the state's road toll," Mr Bailey said.

"These safety treatments will improve sections of roads that we have found to have the highest risk of fatal or serious injury crash.

"Works will incorporate a wide range of infrastructure safety improvements specific to the identified road, including installing reflective markers, guide posts, guard rails and signage, as well as line-marking improvements, shoulder widening, realignment and resurfacing."

The six roads to receive funding are:

    Central Region: Gladstone Benaraby Road, $20.4 million
    North Coast Region: Mount Glorious Road and Samford-Mount Glorious Rd, $11.3 million
    North Coast Region: Burpengary-Caboolture Road and Beerburrum Road, $28.8 million
    North Queensland Region: Captain Cook Highway, $25.75 million
    South Coast Region: Beaudesert-Beenleigh Road, $12 million
    South Coast Region: Mount Lindesay Highway (25A South MacLean section), $14 million

''A reduction in crash-related statewide hospital admissions is also something we hope to achieve," Mr Bailey said.

"Ultimately, we hope to one day achieve zero fatalities or serious injuries on our road network, consistent with our Road Safety Strategy (2015-21)."

Mr Bailey said under legislation, revenue collected from speed and red-light camera offences was required to be redirected to road safety projects such as the Targeted Road Safety Program.

"This program is an example of the revenue raised from camera-detected offences creating programs to make our roads safer through major infrastructure improvements,'' Mr Bailey said. 

''Initiatives such as the Targeted Road Safety Program will make our roads safer for all Queenslanders.''

ENDS

[verbatim9]

Inner city bypass on ramp from Bowen Bridge Road ahead of schedule and due to open mid year.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> RACQ says remove special transit lanes if motorists aren't using them properly

THE State Government has raked in more than half a million dollars off thousands of Queensland motorists caught straying into the fast lane.

The Courier-Mail can reveal more than 2,600 Queensland drivers have been slapped with fines since 2015 after they were nabbed illegally driving in transit lanes designated for vehicles carrying multiple people.

About 1,700 motorists were also nabbed driving illegally through bus lanes over the three year period, while dozens more were stung with fines for driving in other special purpose lanes — like tramways.

Drivers caught travelling illegally in these lanes risk an on the spot fine of $126 — which means the State Government was able to haul in more than $550,000 in just three years.

If the matter is referred to court though, motorists could be fined the maximum penalty of $2,523.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport and Main Roads said several factors were considered when determining the location of bus, transit and tram lanes.

"These include efficiency, reduced travel time, and reliability," she said.

"Benefits are best achieved on busy bus corridors, particularly intersections and freeway ramps where buses can use 'queue-jump' facilities.

"Bicycle lanes are generally located on Principal Bicycle Routes, to encourage cycling and improve safety."

RACQ spokeswoman Lauren Ritchie said transit lanes were in place to help bust congestion, but they would prefer for them to be removed if they were not being properly utilised.

"Everyone wants to get to their destination the quickest and fastest way possible and no one likes people who are taking shortcuts or quite literally, by going through those lanes," she said.

"From our policy perspective on high occupancy lanes, it's not really a safety issue, but it's a compliance issue.

"We would rather see less T3 lanes if they're being under-utilised."

Ms Ritchie said branding the enforcement of these laws as revenue raising was not a fair comment to make.

"There are road rules for a reason," she said.

"The best way to avoid a fine, if you believe it is revenue raising – which we do not – is don't break the rule in the first place."

^

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/993883621717983234

[#Metro]

A transit lane that looks uncongested is working.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Go-slow trial to target select streets in bid to protect cyclists

Motorists will be forced to drive slower on select streets as part of a trial to reduce the risk of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists.

Transport and Main Roads is seeking a "communication specialist" to educate the public about the need for, and benefit of, reduced speed limits in areas of high pedestrian and cyclist activity, and crashes.

Lower speeds for vehicles reduced the risk of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists, and reduced the severity of crashes, a government tender said.

"However, public attitudes toward lower speed limits can deter road authorities from introducing speed limits that would provide greater protection to these vulnerable road users," it says.

"This can be true even in areas where crash data demonstrates a history of crashes where lower travelling speeds could have mitigated crashes and severity of trauma."

A Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman confirmed the department planned to liaise with road authorities to determine suitable trial locations to lower speed limits in areas of high risk for pedestrians and cyclists.

"At this point in time, further consultation is required to determine locations for this initiative," she said.

The department did not answer questions about how many locations would be involved, the length of the trial, the proposed speed reduction, whether it could be rolled out elsewhere after the trial and whether the program would include advertising.

A communication specialist would be asked to provide tool kits to help road authorities educate the public, including addressing speed limit reductions in a single strip road environment and also in an area of "multiple roads", such as a city centre.

In 2017, pedestrians and cyclists accounted for about 17 per cent of all Queensland road fatalities, with 35 pedestrians and eight cyclists killed.

"Crashes involving vulnerable road users are less likely to result in death or serious injury where speed limits are set to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians," the department spokeswoman said.

"Lower speed limits mean more reaction time for drivers and decrease stopping distances and impact forces."

The Queensland Speed Conversation report, from 2017, flagged lowering travelling speeds in areas that were frequented by pedestrians and bicycle riders to increase safety.

The Queensland Cycling Action Plan 2017-2019 said the government would investigate reducing speed limits on state-controlled roads in areas of high pedestrian and cycling activity to increase safety for vulnerable road users.

Slower speeds to protect cyclists and pedestrians has also previously been mooted by Brisbane's Greens councillor Jonathan Sri, who in August called for his Gabba ward to have a blanket speed limit of 40km/h.

Earlier this month, cyclists staged a "die-in" protest near the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital, calling for improved bike safety.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> State Goverment puts $897 million towards widening of the Gold Coast M1

THE State Government has agreed to a 50-50 funding split to fix the M1.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will commit $897 million in next month's State Budget for a major upgrade of the Pacific Motorway.

It will give relief to tens of thousands of motorists who have endured the great Australian crawl while federal and state politicians argued over how our taxes should be used.

Nightmare delays caused by accidents and heavy traffic have turned the M1 into a car park, but the Palaszczuk Government's decision to sign off on funding in the June 12 State Budget will be the spark to finally ease congestion.

The Premier said last night: "The Palaszczuk Government will invest $487.5 million, half of the total cost, between 2018 and 2022, ensuring work can start as soon as possible.

"We know just how important these upgrades are to Queenslanders and we cannot wait any longer for this vital infrastructure work to begin.

"The M1 is the busiest road in our state. It takes hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders to work, to school, to our incredible beaches, shops and night-life every single day."

The M1 breakthrough comes a month after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said that he would commit $1 billion to upgrade the motorway, if Premier Palaszczuk agreed to match him dollar for ­dollar.

The State Government rejected the offer at the time, insisting the deal had to be an 80-20 funding split.

The Prime Minister's pledge was matched soon after by Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

Mr Turnbull's $2 billion proposal included:

● The M1 to be widened between Varsity Lakes and Tugun from four to six lanes, with a new off-ramp built in the northbound lanes to connect with Southport-Burleigh Rd.

● The motorway to be widened from six to eight lanes on the Brisbane stretch between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill.

Work is under way to widen the M1 from four to six lanes between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes.

The new work is expected to start after that is completed in 2020.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad this month described the Federal Government's $1 billion M1 fix-it plan as a "joke and a hoax" because the funding would be ­delayed.

"The money that was promised for the M1 is a number of years out," Ms Trad said after the Federal Budget.

"What it means is we cannot expect to see substantial funding for the M1 from the Turnbull Government for another four to five years."

But Ms Trad last night said the State Government had acted to bring forward funding to make sure work could get under way sooner, not later.

"More than half of Queensland's funding, almost $500 million, will be spent over the next four years.

That means planning will be ­finished and work will be under way by 2020.

''A rolling program of works will allow the M1 to be progressively upgraded to reduce journey times, improve reliability and deliver ongoing job security for people in the local construction industry."

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queenslanders have nation's longest commute to work, census data reveals

QUEENSLAND workers have the longest commute in the country, travelling an average 16.6km to get to the office each day, new census data reveals.

Workers across the Sunshine State reported the car is still king when it comes to the preferred travel option with more than 85 per cent driving to work, 9 per cent using public transport and 5 per cent walking or cycling.

RACQ head of public policy Rebecca Michael said Queensland's decentralised population contributed to the longer average commute.

"Queensland has some of the biggest council areas in Australia and because of that you've got larger distances people are travelling to work," she said.

"In Brisbane we're relatively small compared to places like Sydney and Melbourne and that makes it harder to establish demand for decentralised commercial and employment centres."

Queensland men spend longer behind the wheel, averaging an 18.86km journey to work as opposed to women who travel 14.68km.

The census data revealed that miners had the longest commute of any occupation in the state, travelling 53.75km to work on average. Accommodation and food service workers had the shortest commute at 11.4km.

Ms Michael said people were more likely to switch to public transport when it was of a high standard.

"Long term we would like to see more people make that shift to public transport because that does create a more sustainable transport system and it reduces congestion and pressure on our network and roads," Ms Michael said.

"We know that when people have got access to reliable, well-priced, regular public transport services where they live, obviously there is a lot lower reliance on cars."

Australian Bureau of Statistics director of census dissemination Phillip Wise said the data revealed higher earners tended to travel longer distances to work on average.

"Workers outside of the state capital cities generally had longer average commutes when compared to their corresponding cities, while commuting distances also tended to increase the further a region was from a central business district or major town hub," he said.

[verbatim9]

Couriermail --> Queenslanders have nation's longest commute to work, census data reveals

QUEENSLAND workers have the longest commute in the country, travelling an average 16.6km to get to the office each day, new census data reveals.

Workers across the Sunshine State reported the car is still king when it comes to the preferred travel option with more than 85 per cent driving to work, 9 per cent using public transport and 5 per cent walking or cycling.

RACQ head of public policy Rebecca Michael said Queensland's decentralised population contributed to the longer average commute.

"Queensland has some of the biggest council areas in Australia and because of that you've got larger distances people are travelling to work," she said.

"In Brisbane we're relatively small compared to places like Sydney and Melbourne and that makes it harder to establish demand for decentralised commercial and employment centres."

Queensland men spend longer behind the wheel, averaging an 18.86km journey to work as opposed to women who travel 14.68km.

The census data revealed that miners had the longest commute of any occupation in the state, travelling 53.75km to work on average. Accommodation and food service workers had the shortest commute at 11.4km.

Ms Michael said people were more likely to switch to public transport when it was of a high standard.

"Long term we would like to see more people make that shift to public transport because that does create a more sustainable transport system and it reduces congestion and pressure on our network and roads," Ms Michael said.

"We know that when people have got access to reliable, well-priced, regular public transport services where they live, obviously there is a lot lower reliance on cars."

Australian Bureau of Statistics director of census dissemination Phillip Wise said the data revealed higher earners tended to travel longer distances to work on average.

"Workers outside of the state capital cities generally had longer average commutes when compared to their corresponding cities, while commuting distances also tended to increase the further a region was from a central business district or major town hub," he said.

Yep that's because Brisbane hasn't reached its potential of High Density Urbanisation. Los Angeles is just as big (area wise) yet has reached a Higher density of Urbanisation and also invested alot in Public Transport Infrastructure over the years. But over all Los Angeles wouldn't be far behind in the Longest commute though.

^^Lots of Single person Car Trips in Brisbane and Los Angeles too.

^^Not enough cross town mass transit links to reduce public transport travel times in Brisbane. So no incentive to get out of the car.

Roads will be widened once again to suit Solo travellers in their cars. Sad that the Transit Lanes have disappeared (T2 and T3 lanes.)

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland submits more toll road complaints than rest of country combined

The LNP has called for a parliamentary inquiry into the state's toll road operators, saying Queensland drivers are submitting more complaints to the Tolling Customer Ombudsman than the rest of the country combined.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said drivers are "being taken for a ride" and the toll roads are being underused, which is contributing to the south-east's congestion problems.

"Our toll roads are underused and our toll company tops the table for consumer complaints," Ms Frecklington said.

"We should be busting congestion by making the best use of all our roads, tunnels and bridges.

"The system isn't working and if I were Premier I'd make fixing it a priority."

Ms Frecklington said the inquiry would give MPs the chance to scrutinise the record of Transurban, the company that operates south-east Queensland's toll roads.

The LNP said Transurban's Queensland toll collection arm, GoVia, has received 51 per cent of all complaints lodged with the Tolling Customer Ombudsman, meaning the Sunshine State has submitted more complaints than the rest of the country combined.

"I want to look at how toll road operators work and how they treat their customers," Ms Frecklington said.

"Drivers aren't using toll roads because they feel they're being taken for a ride. We've got to make toll roads more affordable by looking at discounts, bundling and other incentives.

The LNP-backed inquiry would look at consumer issues and complaints, as well as examining pricing and incentive options.

The LNP has vowed to move a motion demanding an inquiry when Parliament sits again in June.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she had not seen the opposition's proposal, but would ask Transport Minister Mark Bailey to fact-check the LNP's complaints figures.

"At the end of the day, the infrastructure needs to be paid for; it wasn't commissioned by us, but happy to look at any issues around complaints to Transurban," she said.

"I'm quite sure the Transport Minister will be quite happy to have a look at the complaints there."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1003308407372148736

[red dragin]

Explains all the spray paint marks that appeared on the ground recently.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> How to solve Brisbane's congestion problem

Brisbane peak hour is growing and as more people move to the state capital, congestion is likely to get worse, not better.

A Brisbane Times exclusive on Monday showed when gridlock started and ended and offered tips for the best time to travel.

But what is the answer to congestion – flexible work hours, removal of level crossings, road pricing?

Brisbane Times spoke to three Brisbane experts about how they would solve the city's congestion problem.

Jake Whitehead – research fellow, faculty of engineering, architecture and information technology, University of Queensland.

Road pricing, improving alternative public transport options and making toll roads more affordable could reduce Brisbane's traffic congestion, according to Dr Whitehead.

"The time has come for a serious discussion on the merits of road pricing in Australia," he said.

"By placing a price on our roads, we can account for many of the costs that are currently ignored: air pollution, congestion, road wear.

"The revenue raised from road pricing would need to be used to improve alternative transport options, like public transport.

"Part of the road pricing revenue could be used to subsidise these toll roads to make them more affordable."

Dr Whitehead said he believed Brisbane's level of congestion had remained fairly consistent over the past 10 years despite many promises that new road infrastructure would solve our congestion woes.

"This is because simply building more roads has never been a solution for permanently reducing congestion, and never will be," he said.

Jonathan Bunker – associate professor, civil engineering and built environment, Queensland University of Technology

Dr Bunker said compared to similarly sized cities Brisbane had transport challenges they did not.

"It [Brisbane] was formed gradually as villages grew together so the arterial road system was largely not planned for a big city," he said.

"It has a large circuitous river that has made it difficult to build many river crossings.

"This all contributed to Brisbane having a congestion problem that is perhaps a bit worse than a typical city of its size."

Dr Bunker said to reduce Brisbane's traffic congestion there should be more flexible work hours to spread the peak, public transport capability and reliability improvements, more and safer active transport routes and targeted arterial road capacity improvements.

Matthew Burke – associate professor, Griffith University's Cities Research Institute

Dr Burke said while Brisbane's traffic was manageable, people still didn't like it.

"Mornings are worst as we combine the school run with the morning commute and we have far too many kids still driven to school in Australian cities,' he said.

Dr Burke said to reduce congestion Brisbane should have buses that go to, and not away from, railway stations in suburban Brisbane and level crossings at places like Coopers Plains and Coorparoo, which are significant points of congestion and should be removed.

He also encouraged residents to avoid the congestion by walking, cycling and using the busways or train.

"South-east Queensland has structural problems with a mismatch of work and housing," Dr Burke said.

"Why are so many Gold Coast and Ipswich residents driving to public service and other white-collar jobs in Brisbane each day.

"Our research at Griffith showed it is better to move some of those jobs to the Gold Coast, to Logan or Ipswich."

Dr Burke also encouraged Brisbane to try to achieve European levels of cycling in the inner city as it would remove tens of thousands of cars each day.

"But that won't happen without a safe network and safe streets for cyclists, and a cut to our very unsafe 50km/h street speeds.

"Some of these things we can do in 2018; others will take 40 years of investment. But we have to try."

[Cazza]

"This is because simply building more roads has never been a solution for permanently reducing congestion, and never will be," he said.

A new addition to our quote collection?

[verbatim9]

Weekend Brisbane urban traffic congestion now matches weekday levels.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/peak-hour-is-no-longer-just-a-weekday-thing-20180629-p4zoh3.html

Weekend traffic on many major Brisbane roads is approaching - and in some cases surpassing - weekday levels, Brisbane Times analysis of real-time traffic data shows.

While weekend traffic jams on the highways to the Sunshine and Gold coasts are nothing new, many major Brisbane arterials such as Coronation Drive, Moggill Road, Stanley Street and Kingsford Smith Drive now have traffic speeds that are worse on weekends than weekdays at certain times.

Brisbane Times analysis of real-time traffic data from location data company HERE Technologies shows how travel times vary between hours of the day and days of the week.

^^Coronation Drive is a shocker, 7 days until midnight

[CQRail]

Old Northern Road is terrible on weekend mornings/early afternoons through Albany Creek and Everton Park too. Not surprising giving the complete lack of decent PT out this way though.

Gympie Road between Kedron and Chermside isn't much better either traffic wise.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1014291443827933184

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> TRAFFIC BUSTER: New $16M plan to ease gridlock on Centenary

THERE'S relief in sight for Ipswich drivers who regularly find themselves stuck in traffic on the heavily congested Centenary Mwy.

The State Government is planning to build a second bridge across the Brisbane River at Jindalee, to ease congestion and widen the stretch by three lanes.

Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey has just announced $16 million for a detailed business case, on top of $4 million previously allocated to the project.

Once the business case is finished, expected mid-2019, the State Government will look to allocate capital funding for the project.

The new bridge will run parallel with the existing one where land is already set aside.

Each day 85,000 cars travel along the busy stretch with that figure expected to double by 2036.

Mr Bailey told the QT the project would include an upgrade to the bikeway and provide a longer merging lane.

He said the project would prepare the stretch for the impending population expansion emanating from Springfield and surrounds.

"When merges are short, they tend to choke traffic up," Mr Bailey said.

"But when merging lanes are nice and long the traffic tends to keep flowing.

"We know there is significant population growth out in the southwest, particularly around Springfield which continues to grow strongly.

"And a lot of those people travel along the Centenary to get to work.

"It's estimated that by 2036 the Centenary will be used by 152,000 cars daily so we need to invest in infrastructure and that's one of the reasons why the Palaszczuk Government is upgrading the Sumners Rd Interchange."

The Ipswich Mwy upgrade between Darra and Oxley is another major congestion busting project being carried out by the State Government with the stretch expected to open in 2020.

Mr Bailey said that project was on track.

[ozbob]

JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Palaszczuk Government fast-tracks design for a second Centenary Bridge

Work to make sure motorists in Brisbane's South West will be able to get home sooner has been fast-tracked after the Palaszczuk Government committed $20 million to support planning and early construction for a second Centenary Bridge at Jindalee.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the increased funding would allow design of a second bridge to start along with important geo-technical works.

"Ultimately, this is about improving traffic flow and easing congestion on the Centenary Motorway so motorists can get home sooner," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"It's also about supporting jobs for Queenslanders through building the infrastructure we need.

"I committed $4 million to plan for a second bridge late last year.

"Now I can say we're investing a further $16 million to fast-track geotechnical and hydraulic investigations and complete the design work.

"Design also be aimed at future-proofing, to enable further bridge widening and additional road capacity Southbound."

Member for Mount Ommaney Jessica Pugh said the proposed bridge would provide three new northbound lanes beside the existing bridge.

"This project has the potential to mean less time stuck in the car for people travelling to and from work," she said.

"It also means better efficiency for freight businesses, emergency services and public transport.

"Adding a lane in the northbound direction will significantly improve traffic flow at Sinnamon Road/Seventeen Mile Rocks Road by extending the distance for merges.

"It follows the Palaszczuk Government funding a $65 million upgrade of the Sumners Road Interchange last year, which is well progressed, with preliminary design now complete.

"This is a significant boost for one of South East Queensland's busiest roads which has been welcomed by the RACQ."

RACQ Head of Public Policy Dr Rebecca Michael welcomed the government's continued commitment.

"The Centenary Motorway is a significant route for the south east, particularly those motorists travelling to the CBD from the western suburbs and Ipswich," Dr Michael said.

"The Sumners Rd intersection is consistently a choke point for those travelling along the Centenary Motorway.

"Our RACQ travel times survey has showed that, during the morning peak, motorists were travelling at just 30km/h from Sumners Rd to Dandenong Rd."

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said that the Sumners Rd Interchange project was progressing into detail design, and that the time was right to put the pedal to the metal on the proposed duplication of the Centenary Bridge which carried more than 92,000 cars a day.

"The planning will also include other transport options such as a cycle pathway and we are aiming to have the business case completed by mid-2019," Mr Bailey said.

The $20 million investment is on top of the $425,000 in the 2018-19 State Budget to finish the design of Seventeen Mile Rocks Road Overpass Bridge at Jindalee.

The projects are part of this year's record $21.7B QTRIP.

It is estimated the Palaszczuk Government's investment in roads, rail, marine, passenger transport and active transport infrastructure will support around 19,200 direct jobs over the next four years.

A completion date for the work will be finalised once design work is finished.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Is this Brisbane's slowest street?

Patrik Feller has driven down Stanley Street almost every day for 11 years and says it is one of the most congested roads in the city.

The Disguises Costume Hire and Sales owner rides his motorbike to work in a bid to shave time off his daily commute down the congested stretch of road.

The traffic is so bad that speeds are often below 20km/h at peak times and motorists struggle to exceed 40km/h at any time of the day.

Stanley Street is a one-way street that connects suburbs in Brisbane's east and south with South Brisbane. It has a speed limit of 60km/h.

Stanley Street had the slowest average speed of 10 roads analysed by Brisbane Times in partnership with location data company HERE Technologies

At 8am on weekdays, the average speed along Stanley Street from The Gabba to Lady Cilento in 2017 was 21km/h.

On weekdays between 7am and 10am and between 3pm and 6pm the average speed was within the 20km/h range.

The average speed on weekends was within the 30km/h range at all times of the day.

The Brisbane City Council Greater Brisbane Key Corridors Performance Report calculated speeds on Stanley Street from the intersection of Old Cleveland and Cavendish roads to the Grey and Vulture streets intersection between 7am and 9am, and 4pm and 7pm.

Brisbane Times analysis of monthly findings from May 2015 to May 2018 revealed speeds were slower in the AM than in the PM.

The slowest average speeds were in February, with 13.4km/h recorded in the AM peak in February 2016, 13.5km/h in the AM peak in February 2018 and 13.8km/h in February 2017.

The fastest speed in peak hour was the PM peak in August 2016 when the speed was about 30.9km/h.

Both the HERE data and the council report reveal that the corridor is consistently running significantly under the speed limit.

Mr Feller said the area was congested because it connected so many points in the city.

"Stanley Street has all the access to the expressway on ramp and off ramps to the City and Gold Coast; it's an access road to South Brisbane and West End, Ipswich, Annerley — it all comes together and it's a one-way street," he said.

"It is one of the ugliest corners."

Mr Feller said there should be a separate lane for motorbikes.

"One motorbike is like five cars," he said.

Mr Feller said the only positive about the traffic crawling down Stanley Street was that it gave motorists time to stop to look out the window at the shops.

"When the traffic slows, it's advertising for us," he said.

The council's infrastructure chairman Amanda Cooper said the council had spent close to $200,000 in the past year on a congestion-busting project for Stanley Street that included a new left-turn lane onto Wellington Street which was designed to stop queuing and delays to through-traffic.

"Council is preserving land for a future corridor upgrade along Stanley Street and in the short-term will continue to identify congestion-busting projects that will maximise the efficiency of the existing network," she said.

Cr Cooper refuted claims that average speeds did not exceed 40km/h and said the council data, which was collected by Bluetooth receivers, showed the average speed exceeded 50km/h an hour.

HERE Technologies traffic product manager Ben Wilson said the council and HERE Technologies had different data collection methods, which resulted in different average traffic speed data.

"HERE uses satellite technology to understand the average speed of a vehicle at a specific point in time and for a specific section of road," he said.

RACQ head of public policy Rebecca Michael said Stanley Street was one of the busiest routes for southside commuters.

"Unfortunately, RACQ's latest Travel Time data shows traffic only travels about 18km/h, on average, during the morning peak," Dr Michael said.

"Stanley Street is quite a constrained corridor but upgrades to the road, public transport access, footpaths and bike lanes will be needed to match the traffic demand.

"Stopping at intersections along the corridor interrupts traffic flow, so average speeds under 60km/h would be expected."

Bicycle Queensland chief executive Anne Savage said more than 45,000 vehicles used Stanley Street every day and safe, separated cycleways for bike riders was the key to unlocking congestion.

"The good news is, work is now underway to deliver the $11 million Woolloongabba Bikeway Project as part of Brisbane City Council's Better Bikeways 4 Brisbane program," she said.

"There can be no doubt that new bikeways along corridors such as Stanley Street will continue to improve travel times for all road users.

"A Bicycle Queensland comparison of journey times from the start of the V1 at Holland Park West to QUT Gardens Point found a bike to be the quickest form of transport, at about 17 minutes compared to 24 minutes in a car and 28 minutes on a bus."

Rail Back on Track's Robert Dow said the congestion on Stanley Street was a "major problem".

"We do have a problem with public transport as an alternative [to private vehicles]," he said.

"I used to live in Woolloongabba in 1977 and it has always been pretty busy because you've got all this traffic coming from other suburbs into Woolloongabba.

"I don't think there's much to be done, to be honest, it just seems to be getting worse and worse."

Mr Dow said better public transport into and out of Woolloongabba needed to be provided.

"I think it's difficult to put bike paths there but they might have to eventually," he said.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Safety push for CBD speed limit to drop to 30kmh

SPEED limits in the Brisbane CBD would be slashed to 30km/h under a radical push to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Labor councillors will call for a trial of 30km/h speed limits on all CBD streets where the speed limit is currently 40km/h.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has also revealed the council will begin a citywide pedestrian safety review, which would consider changes to speed limits, despite his claim just two years ago that a 30km/h limit would be "unacceptable to the broad range of Brisbane people".

The move follows a spate of pedestrian related incidents in recent months, including the death of a 51-year-old woman in May.

Speed limits on Ann St and Turbot St would also drop to 50km/h under the plan, which Labor intends to take to the next Brisbane City Council election. The trial would last at least 12 months.

Cr Quirk said the council needed to "make changes based on real evidence".

"We have recently seen a spike in the number of pedestrian incidents and this is clearly is an issue that requires urgent attention," Cr Quirk said.

"Based on early information about traffic-related incidents, a change in speed is not a silver bullet, but does need to be one of the many aspects that are considered."

Labor active and public transport spokesman Jared Cassidy said their plan to trial 30km/h limits was about safety.

"Pedestrians far outnumber motorists in the city but the road system is skewed towards cars and trucks," Cr Cassidy said.

"We should be making walking and cycling around the city a safer and more attractive option. If reducing the speed limits caused motorists to avoid the CBD then so be it, I see that as a positive result."

RACQ head of public policy Rebecca Michael said they would not support a blanket reduction in the CBD network.

"Lower speed limits can be considered on a case to case basis where there is high pedestrian and cyclist activity and speed limit changes are typically supported by streetscape changes," Dr Michael said. "Traffic would move a little slower ... and synchronisation of signals would need to be changed, but it would not lead to gridlock."

Hannah Hirst, 24, from Redland Bay, drives to the city for work and says the speed limit is already slow enough.

"It already takes long enough to get to work," she said. "I don't really see how putting the speed limit down by ... another 10km is really going to achieve anything."