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Roads - articles and discussion

Started by ozbob, November 02, 2010, 03:50:57 AM

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SurfRail

I don't trust the Suburban Alliance one iota.

Nundah has a railway next to it, Chermside has no dedicated mass transit whatsoever - not even bus lanes.  Maybe focus on that before making it easier to drive.
Ride the G:

ozbob

Half baked projects, have long term consequences ...
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verbatim9

#1922
It can be delivered together similar to the Lutwyche stage. (Airport Link)

(Road "tunnel* and a seperate mass transit way "tunnel", along with new improved cycle infrastructure on the surface.)

verbatim9

Quote from: verbatim9;157006566It can be delivered together similar to the Lutwyche stage. (Airport Link)

(Road "tunnel* and a seperate mass transit way "tunnel",  along with new improved cycle infrastructure on the surface.)
Tunnels unlikely to solve Gympie Road congestion problems


RACQ.com.au--------------------------------------->https://live.racq.com.au/2019/02/tunnels-unlikely-to-solve-gympie-road-congestion-problems/

QuoteThe Courier Mail reported urban design group Suburban Alliance had unveiled a design for a 1.6km tunnel under Gympie Road between Rode Road and Murphy Road. An additional concept for a 9km tunnel from Telegraph Road to Stafford Road was also presented, to connect with the existing Airportlink, Clem7 and Legacy Way systems.
RACQ spokesperson Paul Turner said tunnelling was an expensive solution to reduce congestion and other more effective projects were already in the pipeline.
"It's unlikely either tunnel design will provide a long-term solution to congestion issues on this part of the road network. Instead, it might trigger more complexities as population and vehicle numbers rise because it'd become costly to increase its capacity. It also raises the question of whether the tunnel would be tolled, which creates another issue for motorists," Mr Turner said.
"We need to get projects like the North West Transport Corridor off the ground because they offer a more robust solution with a range of transport benefits. Improving our active and public transport infrastructure is also important and reduces congestion by taking more cars off our roads."
It came as the Courier Mail also reported more than 400,000 Australians had made the move from capital cities to regional areas over the past five years for better quality of life – and likely less time in traffic.
"Decentralisation from city centres like Brisbane would take pressure off transport and infrastructure, but it means governments need to review their investment plans in regional areas," he said.
"This could benefit the south east corner and provide more time to 'catch up' on the projects in the pipeline, but we need to make sure we're not pushing current problems somewhere else."

verbatim9

Despite what the RACQ lobby group says. Its important to realise that from Kedron to Aspley there is very heavy congestion noise and air pollution due to the number of intersections and vehicles. Conversion to electric cars will not alter the congestion issues due to population growth. It might reduce noise pollution and air pollution levels?

I still think this is a chance to deliver and complete the mass transit segregated corridor from Kedron Brook to Chermside if this tunnel gets the go ahead? The mass transit corridor can be upgraded to Driverless Metro Standard by the 2030s if this tunnel is completed by 2024?

It would also allow for high street activation as well as new apartments along the corridor. New segregated Cycle infrastructure is a must. No new urban road corridor should be planned or finished without new segregated cycle infrastructure included. It should be written into law.    

James

The problem here is that you have Gympie Road performing the same function on the Northside as the SE Freeway plays on the Southside. Imagine if you had all those GC-bound cars on Logan Road - it would be a nightmare, both with congestion and making the urban environment pedestrian friendly in any way.

While I think the tunnel idea has merit, a major issue will be access - it'll be very difficult to put a tunnel through here - where to start the TBM is one problem. In hindsight, Brisbane may have been better off had the Northern Freeway been built - at least road expansion reserves would have left room for a northern busway.
Is it really that hard to run frequent, reliable public transport?

ozbob

Couriermail --> Brisbane traffic: Gateway Motorway upgrade shifts bottleneck from Nudgee to Deagon

QuoteA MAJOR Brisbane road upgrade that cost $1.143 billion, took three years to build and hasn't even officially opened is already plagued by traffic jams.

Angry motorists have complained the Gateway North Upgrade (GUN) turns into a "carpark" in the afternoon peak hour as the project simply shifted a bottleneck 10km to the north, a problem the RACQ had warned about for years.

Queensland Transport heralded a soft opening of the upgrade, which added an extra lane in either direction between Nudgee and Deagon, on social media on February 18.

The post, announcing speed limits had returned to 100km/h, was met with near universal ridicule as hundreds of motorists fumed that instead of speeding home along the gateway they were trapped in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

"Yes wonderful news Department of Main Roads, you have managed to move the bottle neck from Nudgee Caltex now to Deagon," one motorist wrote.

DTMR was lampooned online for the "idiotic" and "pathetic" decision to funnel three northbound lanes back down to two lanes for a short section through Bracken Ridge before the Bruce Highway merge at the Pine Rivers Bridge.

A DTMR spokeswoman said the "scope" of the funding package, which was split 80/20 between the federal and state governments, did not include funds for additional lanes north of Deagon.

She said there had been "significant improvements" in traffic flow on the motorway since the additional lanes between Nudgee and Deagon opened to traffic in late 2018.

"We are aware there is occasional traffic congestion during peak travel times, due to traffic incidents (for example breakdowns and crashes) and as a flow-on effect when similar incidents occur on the Bruce Highway," she said in a statement.

"To minimise delays to road users, we monitor the road network and coordinate responses to these incidents."

RACQ head of public policy Rebecca Michael said the peak body had been warning since the project's "infancy" that unless it was built with three lanes all the way to the Bruce Highway it was "inevitable" the bottleneck would only shift north.

"At the time planning for the project was being undertaken, traffic volumes were already high so it was only inevitable that it would become another choke point," she said.

She said the problem would only get worse in the coming years as traffic and freight volumes on the Gateway increased.
Half baked projects, have long term consequences ...
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red dragin

Removing the bottleneck at Deagon will simply shift it to the Gateway/Bruce Highway merge  :fo:

verbatim9

Mixed reactions to Kedron - Chermside - Aspley Tunnel idea.

Couriermail--------------------------------------------------->https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/chermside-tunnel-idea-receives-mixed-response/news-story/543c1dfd6641163251e819dca154402c

QuoteChermside tunnel idea receives mixed response
Michelle Smith, Quest Newspapers
March 2, 2019 11:30am
Subscriber only
A PROPOSAL to build a vehicle tunnel under Gympie Rd at Chermside has met with a mixed response.

Urban design think-tank Suburban Alliance revealed the tunnel proposal as a way to relieve traffic congestion and transform the suburb into a major business and residential hub.

Before and after: Chermside tunnel plan revealed

The idea is modelled on Nundah where $55 million spent on a bypass tunnel resulted in more than $800 million of private investment in apartments, retail, food and commercial buildings.

The vision report presents two possibilities — a 1.6km tunnel under Gympie Rd between Rode Rd and Murphy Rd, and a 9km tunnel from Telegraph Rd and Stafford Rd to connect with the existing Airportlink, Clem7 and Legacy Way tunnel systems.


An artist impression of what Gympie Rd, Chermside could look like if a tunnel was built.
While the proposal received support from chamber of commerce and real estate representatives, it has been slammed by the RACQ.

RACQ spokesman Paul Turner said tunnelling was an expensive solution to reduce congestion and other more effective projects were already in the pipeline.

"It's unlikely either tunnel design will provide a long-term solution to congestion issues on this part of the road network," Mr Turner said.

"Instead, it might trigger more complexities as population and vehicle numbers rise because it'd become costly to increase its capacity.

"It also raises the question of whether the tunnel would be tolled, which creates another issue for motorists.

"We need to get projects like the North West Transport Corridor off the ground because they offer a more robust solution with a range of transport benefits.

"Improving our active and public transport infrastructure is also important and reduces congestion by taking more cars off our roads."


RACQ's Paul Turner says tunnelling is an expensive solution to reduce congestion.
However Brisbane North Chamber of Commerce president Simon Penrose said the tunnel was "a fantastic idea".

"It's well worth having a look at, especially if it's been modelled off what happened at Nundah," Mr Penrose said.

"In the late 90s I had a business in Nundah and used to have the awnings taken off by trucks coming through the village.

"Businesses were moving out of the area and Nundah was becoming an urban ghetto (before the bypass tunnel).

"A tunnel under Gympie Rd could certainly be a very positive outcome for business in the area and help reduce the volume of traffic.

"I think a lot of people think it's too hard to get into the shopping centre so they avoid the area and go elsewhere."

Mr Penrose said there were also a lot of shops along Gympie Rd and very little parking.

"People will park on the opposite side of the road and walk across with trucks and buses going past quickly so there's a safety issue as well."

He said there were three options — do nothing and put up with the traffic, build a tunnel or build overhead bridges.


Nick Thornton, senior sales consultant at Harcourts Chermside.
Harcourts Chermside senior sales consultant Nick Thornton said the Clem 7 tunnel should have been extended to Aspley and Carseldine and there was plenty of vacant land available for a tunnel, for example behind the Girl Guides hut at Marchant Park, and near the Webster Rd-Hamilton Rd intersection.

"Traffic is a nightmare on Gympie Rd and getting traffic out of Chermside will be good," he said.

Mr Thornton said a tunnel would also be a selling point for homeowners in the area.

"When the Clem 7 was being built the price of houses in Kedron and Gordon Park slumped due to the dust and noise.

"But as soon as it was finished they jumped back up as it was a selling point that you could access the tunnel from there."

A Transport and Main Roads spokesman said because the area was highly urbanised and had constrained corridors, any improvements to ease traffic congestion required significant funding.

"We are aware of congestion along this busy arterial road," the spokesman said.

"We are currently undertaking a planning study on Gympie Rd, between Stafford Rd and Linkfield Rd.

"The key outcome of the study is to recommend improvements to road capacity, improve traffic flow, prioritise bus movements, improve overall safety and reduce congestion.

"Works being investigated include at-grade intersection upgrades and bus 'queue jumps'."

The spokesman said design had also started on the $53 million Northern Transitway, with works expected to begin next year.

"The project will deliver on-road bus priority along Gympie Rd, between Kedron and Chermside, delivering continuous dedicated bus lanes during peak hours from Chermside to Kedron while retaining all existing car lanes," the spokesman said.

Another $2 million has been allocated to the detailed design underway for the Strathpine Rd and Gympie Arterial Rd interchange upgrade and more than $2 million has been allocated to the Linkfield Rd ramp improvements, with works to start this year.

verbatim9

Race against time to get Brisbane's road infrastructure up to speed.

Couriermail------------------------------------->https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/southeast-queenslands-road-infrastructure-must-be-futureproofed-and-time-is-running-out/news-story/239c6544f856428660c4658eda9a7b59

QuoteTHE Gateway North Upgrade is a billion-dollar joke, but motorists are not laughing – they are fuming.

Three years after work started on this expensive and crucial section of the region's road network – and before it has even been officially opened – it is already gridlocked. It's ludicrous.

The $1.14 billion Gateway North project is a painfully clear example of the dilemma plaguing the state's southeast.


The Gateway North extension is a good example of projects solving yesterday's problems and not providing answers for future needs. Picture: AAP/David Clark
The lag in essential infrastructure delivery is now so pronounced that projects are often solutions to yesterday's problems not answers to tomorrow's needs. Indeed, it is a catch 22; a recurring traffic nightmare in which the attempted solutions have become part of the problem – extensive and lengthy roadworks for improvements are contributing to the jams and delays they were supposed to fix, or the bottleneck is simply shifted from one place to another.

Official forecasts indicate avoidable congestion costs will more than double to between $4.1 billion and $5.9 billion a year in Brisbane by 2030. On a per capita basis, we would overtake Melbourne to become the second worst in the country behind Sydney.

In southeast Queensland, the congestion bill would rise to $9 billion.

That has a crippling impact on productivity and economic growth, and undermines efforts to attract business to establish and expand here.

The toll is not only on finances but also on quality of life. Every hour spent in traffic – RACQ research last month showed a motorist commuting between the Gold Coast and Brisbane daily during peak hour, spends 19 days a year behind the wheel – is an hour sacrificed with family and friends, or leisure, enjoying our glorious weather and natural environment or engaged in community activities.

Southeast Queensland is at a pivotal point in its growth. In the next quarter century, the population will swell by two million people to 5.5 million. We have the opportunity and time – just – to plan and manage that growth, to protect our cherished lifestyle, and to avoid being engulfed by the overwhelming issues now confronting the southern capitals.

How do Australia's train networks compare to one another?
There are answers, many of which were highlighted during The Courier-Mail's Future SEQ series. The key is balancing the unquestionable need for better and extra roads with a fundamental switch in focus towards public transport solutions.

Proposals such as a rapid rail network proposed by the SEQ Council of Mayors to enable passengers to get to Brisbane from the Gold and Sunshine Coasts or even Toowoomba within 45 minutes, and the further expansion of the Brisbane Metro network.

Essential, too, is more strategic planning and delivery of transport infrastructure as part and parcel of the development of new mini-city residential communities which pour tens of thousands of extra people into the overloaded system.

Prioritising and funding these sorts of initiatives lies at the heart of the City Deal proposal drawn up by State Government and the region's mayors and presented to the Federal Government and Opposition recently.

Both the Coalition and Labor have indicated they will back such an agreement between all levels of government so let's get on with it.

There is no time to waste.

verbatim9

^^The tunnel from Buranda to Toowong with a subsidised toll should be a priority, as well as completing the M1 widening.

This will reduce traffic volumes along Coronation Drive and Milton road and allow for dismantling of the Riverside Expressway to the Captain Cook Bridge (retaining one on and off ramp near the parliamentary quarter). This will open up Northbank and North Quay to revolutionary urban renewal.

timh

Quote from: ozbob on February 28, 2019, 09:23:41 AM
Couriermail --> Before and after: Chermside tunnel plan revealed

QuoteA VEHICLE tunnel could be built under Brisbane's Gympie Rd to transform Chermside into a major suburban business and residential hub with a village atmosphere, a new report says.

The concept has been unveiled by urban design think-tank Suburban Alliance, which says the vision would attract billions of dollars of development and create thousands of jobs.

Director Ross Elliott says major urban renewal and infrastructure investment in the area is decades overdue, with much of the commercial strip still looking like it did in the 1970s.

The vision report presents two possibilities.

In the first, a 1.6km tunnel would be constructed under Gympie Rd between the Rode Rd and Murphy Rd.

The other suggests a 9km tunnel from Telegraph Rd and Stafford Rd to connect with the existing Airportlink, Clem7 and Legacy Way tunnel systems.

That would allow that section of Gympie Rd to be narrowed to a tree-lined boulevard for local traffic and possibly an expansion of the Brisbane Metro public transport system due to start in 2023.

Gympie Rd currently carries 66,000 vehicles a day, not far short of the 75,000 on the Gateway Motorway, and is one of the state's worst accident hot spots.

The idea is modelled on Nundah where $55 million spent on a bypass tunnel has resulted in more than $800 million of private investment in apartments, retail, food and commercial buildings.

"Nundah went from a failing business and community village to a thriving hub. The same could happen with Chermside, but on a much larger scale," the report says.

The group is now urging the State Government and Brisbane City Council to formally investigate the cost and potential economic boost.


I saw this article, and my first thought was the same as Surfrail. A tunnel like this would be better off being used for Mass Transit ie. dedicated busway, preferably Brisbane Metro. This corridor has been flagged as needing new high frequency mass transit through it or quite some time now, it seems like a huge project like this should be dedicated that first and foremost.

#Metro

Good idea, make the tunnel busway then narrow the surface street.
Negative people... have a problem for every solution. Posts are commentary and are not necessarily endorsed by RAIL Back on Track or its members.

ozbob

Couriermail Quest --> Coomera Connector plans drive over top of wave pool site

QuoteHANG ten. That's what Logan City Council has been told to do with plans for a wave pool and skate park at Loganholme.

Tunnel Vision Wave Pools' $10 million plans for an 18.4ha site off the Pacific Motorway took a dive this month after Transport and Main Roads Department unveiled a proposal to use the land for an M1 upgrade.

The council-owned block, sandwiched between the motorway and the Logan River, has been earmarked as the point where the M1 will link with the state's proposed Coomera Connector road.

News of the Coomera Connector threw the wave park plans into jeopardy despite a 40-year time horizon to build the connector road to the Gold Coast. It is also likely to end a long-running court battle between the council and Alma Park Zoo over the site.

"This means that the proposed zoo site at Logan cannot go ahead," Alma Park Zoo said. "We are now looking for a new zoo site between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, close to public transport and local amenities."

Details of the exact route the Coomera Connector will take after crossing to the north side of the Albert River are yet to be finalised.

But the latest Transport and Main Roads map gives a general picture of the road heading north from the Gold Coast crossing Staplyton-Jacobs Well Rd near Alberton Rd before crossing the river near the northern end of Keogh Rd before hitting Eagleby.

Eagleby State School principal Libby Jordan organised a petition in an attempt to prevent the road cutting through the suburb and up to 125 families losing their homes.

"Eagleby will be sandwiched between two freeways," she said. "The new road will be a toll road and our beautiful community with cane fields, a river view and open spaces will be destroyed," she said.

But Macalister MP Melissa McMahon said there was "absolutely no chance" the road would go through the school.

"To my knowledge, it doesn't cross Fryar Rd at all. Fryar Rd may be extended to link up with Mt Cotton Rd if that option is taken, in which case consideration will be given to signalising Fryer and Eagleby Rd. But it will still be a few hundred metres from the school."

Plans for the six-lane connector also sparked concern with Eagleby indigenous groups, worried it would carve through Eagleby Wetlands, one of southeast Queensland's most valuable and pristine wetlands.

Indigenous group Beenleigh Housing and Development Company board members met last week to discuss an action plan to oppose the road through Eagleby.

Company chief executive Will Davis said planners should not have designed a road to go through the heart of a community.

"The board was of one mind with this and believe it is disgusting that it runs through Eagleby and country," he said.

"This could kill our community — why isn't it running down the middle of Springwood or Tanah Merah?

"Eagleby is forgotten by the government at all levels — but that is about to change."

Beenleigh indigenous man and Stronger Smarter Institute chief research officer John Davis said the second M1 road was "a push for greed and prime real estate".

He said local indigenous groups including Eagleby's indigenous Men's Group, based at the wetlands, would oppose the plans and sign the school's petition.

"Traditional owners need our own yarning and connecting space," he said.

"It is terrible that the government is taking land off those with the highest needs."

Logan City Council said the project was a state government initiative and told people to direct questions to the Transport and Main Roads Department.

Hall on Friday, March 15.

The state government said the road corridor would be wide enough for up to six traffic lanes and was expected to include bus lanes and paths for walking and cycling.

Only 36.5km of the corridor, from Staplyton-Jacobs Well Rd at Staplyton and Nerang-Broadbeach Road in Nerang, has been approved and gazetted.

The Eagleby section has been investigated but is yet to be gazetted.

It is proposed that the road will run north of Stapylton-Jacobs Well Road and potentially connect with the Logan Motorway and Pacific Motorway interchange.

The state government said all property owners directly impacted by the gazettal of the corridor were consulted and advised.

The state committed $5 million to undertake transport planning studies for the Loganholme to Nerang corridor in the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2018-19 to 2021-22.

Coomera Connector at TMR > https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/C/Coomera-Connector

Half baked projects, have long term consequences ...
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verbatim9

^^Roads before Recreation Lol!

Life's Priorities?

ozbob

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast to Logan M2 Coomera Connector road given green light



QuoteTHE final route of the $2.4 billion second M1 has been locked in.

The state government will today announce it has gazetted the entire 45km route of the six-lane Coomera Connector which will create a second major arterial road between Nerang and Logan.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the road's future was certain now that the final section between Stapylton and Logan had been locked in as a future state road.

''There is a lot more work to do before this project comes to life,'' he said.

''The community will continue to be involved and provide feedback into the next stages of planning for the corridor.

"Opportunities for consultation will be both in person at a series of information sessions and online."

Mr Bailey said the project was essential to lowering congestion on the M1.

"With more than 180,000 vehicles travelling on the M1 each day and strong population growth on the northern Gold Coast, we need to plan for the region's future transport demands," he said.

"We want people to spend more time at home with their family and friends and less time in traffic, and that means responsibly planning now for growing communities between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

"Now, the entire 45 kilometre Coomera Connector corridor — including the final northern stretch to the Logan Motorway — has been officially gazetted as a future state-controlled road."

The Coomera Connector is tipped to take around 60,000 cars off a bottleneck on the M1.

The road, formerly known as the intra-regional transport corridor (IRTC), has long been part of the state government's future plans but was dumped by the former Newman government in 2013 against the wishes of the Gold Coast City Council.

The project was restored in 2015 when the Palaszczuk government gazetted the Nerang to Coomera section of the road in March 2016 and the Coomera Stapylton section in May 2017.

It later became a political football at the 2017 state election when the LNP opposition pledged to build the project which it dubbed the "M2".

Residents who have properties along the route have already been advised.

While construction is not expected to begin for many years, developers and political leaders are already preparing for it.

The design of the $600m Soncheng theme park at Carrara has been altered because it will sit next to the road, while Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate last year called for the state government to consider a public-private partnership to make the second motorway a toll road.
Half baked projects, have long term consequences ...
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ozbob

Media Statements
JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/3/19/tenders-sought-for-second-centenary-bridge

The Honourable Mark Bailey

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Tenders sought for second Centenary Bridge

Tenders have been called for the detailed design for a new Centenary Bridge at Jindalee.

Queensland Premier and Member for Inala Annastacia Palaszczuk said the detailed design was a key part of the government's $20 million allocation to fast track a business case and technical investigations for a new river crossing on the Centenary Motorway.

"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.

"The Centenary Bridge carries more than 85,000 cars a day and current traffic modelling indicates 152,000 vehicles will want to cross that bridge daily by 2036.

"We honoured our $4 million election commitment to deliver a business case for a second Centenary Bridge at Jindalee, and added $16 million to fast-track the design in our 2017/18 Budget.

"That planning will enable future bridge widening and additional road capacity southbound."

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey the tender will include design for a new three-lane northbound bridge, including geotechnical and environmental investigations, and service relocations.

"This is a project that will bust congestion and improve traffic flow on this critical stretch of road," Mr Bailey said.

"The detailed design tender is expected to be awarded in the coming weeks and is another important step in the planning process for improvements to the Centenary Motorway.

"Detailed design is expected to start mid-year and take about 12 months."

Member for Mt Ommaney Jess Pugh said progress was being made on key upgrades planned for the area.

"Residents who travel on the Centenary Motorway know how congested it can get near the bridge and further south at the Sumners Road interchange," Ms Pugh said.

"We are hoping to award the tender for construction of the Sumners Road interchange soon, and I'm pleased to see we are making progress on the design and planning for this major project, as well.

"These projects will make a real difference for people who travel through western Brisbane because it will ultimately mean less time spent in the car, and more time spent doing what they enjoy."

Opportunities for community feedback on the design for a new Centenary Bridge are planned for later this year.
Half baked projects, have long term consequences ...
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verbatim9

#1937
^^Once the Summers road bridge duplication is completed? The Riverhills express can be extended to Darra station in the same way the Carseldine 340 was extended to Carseldine station. This will enable a full time 7 day/night alternative route via Darra station for people living in the Centenary suburbs and Jindalee.

ozbob

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Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2019/2019_03_26_DAILY.pdf

Matters of Public Interest

Transport Infrastructure


Mr MINNIKIN (Chatsworth—LNP) (2.15 pm): I rise to speak of a matter of public interest that
should be of concern to everyone in this chamber. I refer to the Queensland Audit Office report No. 4
of 2017-18, which deals with integrated transport planning in this great state. I am sure all members
recognise the independence and the value of the work of the Queensland Audit Office. It conducts
financial and performance audits across the entire public sector as well as identifies improvements in
service efficiency and effectiveness. This important role enables the Auditor-General to develop unique
insights into the financial sustainability of the Queensland government. It is one of these insights that
is contained in report No. 4 that I will be highlighting today.

The report relates to integrated planning for the transport system and notes that the responsible
government agencies do not have in place comprehensive frameworks for monitoring progress on all
elements against transport outcomes. Although that is worrying enough, of particular concern is the
conclusion drawn in the report that the renewal of the existing transport network has been and continues
to be underfunded. In effect, the maintenance that is needed to keep our transport networks safe and
functioning properly is falling further and further behind under this do-nothing Labor government.

Mr Bailey interjected.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Stewart): Order member for Miller!

Ms Jones interjected.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order member for Cooper!

Mr MINNIKIN: I will not take offence because some of us have broad shoulders. Indeed, the
responsible agency—DTMR—forecast that the renewal backlog on the state controlled road network
will exceed $9 billion over the next decade. The Auditor-General's report goes on to state—

The underfunding has resulted in risks to the sustainability of the transport network. The overall condition of the transport network
falls well short -

I will repeat that, 'well short'— of DTMR's target standards.

That is absolutely unacceptable. Although we know that a generation of Labor governments have
bestowed on Queenslanders a mountain of debt with no solution in sight—which is why some of them
had a little holiday for a few years a few years ago—their so-called legacy also extends to chronic
underfunding of the existing road network.

As honourable members know, our transport network connects our regions. It helps foster
economic growth and it provides jobs for many Queenslanders. The implications of this ongoing
financial neglect of the maintenance of our transport network are severe. I refer to some roads in the
regions that are already suffering from neglect, which will impact freight operators, tourist operators,
mining operations and everyday users. In the North Burnett, there is the Eidsvold-Theodore Road and
the Mundubbera-Durong Road. In the Banana shire, there is the Westwood turnoff. In the South Burnett,
there is the road from Mundubbera to Dalby. In the Western Downs, there is the Jandowae Connection
Road and the Dawson Highway. In the Central Highlands Regional Council area, there is the road from
Clermont to Rolleston, which is the Gregory Highway and the Dawson Highway. In the Isaac Regional
Council area, there is the Gregory Highway and, in the Toowoomba Regional Council area, there is the
Bowenville-Moola Road.

Unfortunately these regions can expect their backlog maintenance in relation to our highways to
take longer and longer before they see the light of day. The many bridges that are already in poor
condition are long overdue for remediation and will be awaiting longer periods before they are finally
repaired. Even the rest stops, so vital as a road safety measure to help reinvigorate tired drivers, will
not receive the adequate attention they deserve. What must be also borne in mind is that as it takes
longer to complete the maintenance the more likely it is there will be further deterioration so the problem
just keeps on compounding.

Based on the audit conclusion it appears as though the situation is grave and this minister is out
of his depth. However, the possibility of the current Minister for Transport and Main Roads ever fixing
the maintenance issues seems distinctly remote given the inability to even offer a date to restore the
472 weekly train services that were cancelled in late 2016. Now we have road fail as well as rail fail.
What an absolute genius! It takes a very special mix to have your own Twitter hashtag rail fail and now,
under this man's watch, road fail.

====

DTMR  >   :fp:
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ozbob

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ozbob

Couriermail --> Daily commute in Brisbane slows to a crawl

QuoteTRAVEL speeds on Brisbane's busiest roads have crashed below 35km/h as the commuter crawl to work worsens.

The latest six-month snapshot of Brisbane's key corridors reveals the average travel speed in the morning peak was 33km/h between July and December last year.

The return journey was only slightly better at 36km/h in the afternoon peak, but still down from the 39km/h recorded between January and June, 2018.

The road with the slowest speed during the morning peak over the six-month period was Stanley St in Woolloongabba, with an average of just 18km/h.

Stanley St, which has a speed limit of 60km/h but also includes a 40km/h school, also recorded the worst afternoon average speed at 22km/h.

Labor's Brisbane lord mayoral candidate Rod Harding seized on the figures, saying Brisbane was on track to be the "car park capital of Australia".

"Fifteen years (the LNP) have been in power and their promise when they first came in was they were going to bust congestion," he said. "But every year it gets worse."

Brisbane City Council infrastructure chair Amanda Cooper defended the figures, insisting speeds on council-run roads had dropped by less than 1km/h over the past year.

"We are taking real action on traffic congestion to get people home quicker and safer," she said.

"Major upgrades are currently underway on major Council corridors including Kingsford Smith Drive and Wynnum Road while over the past 12 months works were completed on Telegraph Road, Green Camp Road and the Inner City Bypass."

The road with the best travel speed in the morning peak was the Centenary Motorway between the Logan Motorway and Ipswich Motorway, with an average speed of 89km/h.
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Couriermail --> RACQ survey: Queensland's 10 most congested roads

QuoteQUEENSLAND motorists have named more than 450 roads that drive them mad because of congestion and delays, with the Pacific Motorway having the dubious honour of being named the state's worst road.

An RACQ survey of more than 2500 motorists found Centenary Motorway, Gympie Rd, the Bruce Highway and South Pine Rd were also named, with too few lanes inadequate capacity and problems with through traffic congestion the most common complaints.

RACQ spokeswoman Lucinda Ross said motorists were in the best position to identify trouble spots and locations that continually cause frustration.


"These red spots may be due to a set of traffic lights taking too long to change, not enough lanes, delays at a rail crossing, or something completely different," she said.

"More than 2500 nominations came in from across Queensland, so it's clear that congestion is an issue that really grinds our gears.

"It costs us time and lost productivity, and that's why we need to address it now."

Southeast Queensland dominated the list, with Cairns coming in second. Other "red spot" clusters were in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Wide Bay and Toowoomba.

The Eumundi Noosa Rd on the Sunshine Coast and the Captain Cook Highway from Cairns' city centre to the Kennedy Highway were the only locations outside the southeast corner in the top 10.

The top five nominated railway crossings were all in Brisbane, with the Coopers Plains crossing at Boundary Rd the most congested, followed by Cavendish Rd, Coorparoo.

Queensland's top 10 most congested roads according to the RACQ Red Spot Congestion Survey (total nominations in brackets) were:

1. Pacific Motorway (260)

2. Centenary Motorway (117)

3. Gympie Rd (113)

4. Bruce Highway (99)

5. South Pine Rd (74)

6. Eumundi Noosa Rd (53)

7. Gateway Motorway (53)

8. Moggill Rd (52)

9. Logan Rd (51)

10. Captain Cook Highway (Cairns) (49)

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^ Red Spot Congestion Survey 2019 > https://www.racq.com.au/redspot

Red Spot Congestion Survey 2019 - Main Report (PDF, 475KB)


Table 2 – Top 5 Railway Crossings

Table 2 below lists the top 5 most nominated railway (level) crossings. There were four locations nominated to the south of Brisbane City, and one location nominated to the north of Brisbane.

1 Boundary Road, Coopers Plains
2 Cavendish Road, Coorparoo
3 Beams Road, Carseldine
4 Kianawah Rd / Lindum Rd, Hemmant
5 Warrigal Road, Runcorn
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Brisbanetimes --> New street at Lytton Road but residents 'furious' at right-turn closure

QuoteA new street has been opened in a bid to ease pressure along the Wynnum Road corridor in Brisbane's east, as the $128 million major roadwork along the corridor nears 60 per cent completion.

Close to Mowbray Park, Kulpurum Street was opened on Tuesday morning by Brisbane City Council lord mayor Adrian Schrinner and infrastructure committee chair Amanda Cooper.

The street connects Laidlaw Parade and Lytton Road at a new lighted intersection, while Scanlan Street and Laidlaw Parade will be turned into cul-de-sacs.

Eskgrove Street will eventually provide access to a new parkland once the Wynnum Road corridor upgrades are complete.

Cr Schrinner said the new street's name was the Indigenous name for Norman Creek.

The lighted intersection provides a new pedestrian crossing over Lytton Road and right-turn lanes into Kulpurum Street.

Cr Cooper said the street would make a major difference to one of the slowest-moving transport corridors to and from Brisbane.

"We think the improvement with the new bus priority lane as part of the Stage 1B project incorporated in this will really encourage people to use public transport and will reduce traffic congestion," she said.

Cr Cooper said over a five-year period there was an "unacceptable" number of accidents in the area: more than 100 between Latrobe Street and Riding Road.

"This project is about making it safer for people as well as tackling that traffic congestion issue," she said.

Gabba Ward councillor Jonathan Sri (Greens) said he welcomed the name of the new street.

"I think it's really positive that the community was given a say as to the name of this street, that was on the basis of a suggestion from a local Aboriginal elder and it was great that residents voted for that option," Cr Sri said.

However Cr Sri said he still believed the Wynnum Road corridor upgrade project was a "disaster", with greater focus needed on public transport through the area rather than widening the road.

Another change for the Wynnum Road corridor will see the right-turn from Bennetts Road closed in a four-week trial designed to provide faster construction on Stage 1B of the Wynnum Road programs.

"This is a project that leads into this particular corridor, it's a $12 million investment in the corridor further afield," Cr Schrinner said.

"By closing down a right-turn for a period of time we can construct the project faster. Keeping that access open would mean more delays for local residents."

Cr Cooper said the trial, which starts on Wednesday, would give the council an indication of the closure's impact on traffic.

She said if the trial was not successful, more night works would be needed, and this would be "very disruptive".

Morningside Ward councillor Kara Cook (ALP) said residents were "furious" over the proposed right-turn closure, which was originally planned to be an eight-month closure.

She said the four-week trial had been adopted after she raised concerns from residents about the closure of the only connection from Bennetts Road to Hawthorne.

"Eight months seems an extraordinary time to complete a relatively small part of this project and it's not good enough," she said.

"It's a plan for chaos – it will add to congestion and cause rat-running in quiet suburban streets."

Cr Cook said while she supported the Wynnum Road project, she did not support the temporary closure, which would come at the expense of residents' daily commute.

Cr Schrinner said almost 60 per cent of the overall Wynnum Road project was complete, and was on track for its planned completion deadline next year.

He thanked residents for their patience, noting the project's slow progress was partly a result of keeping Wynnum Road open during the construction phase.
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Cazza

Great idea. Clearly works well as seen in many locations right across the US. But the question we should be asking is are QLD drivers up to the challenge? :bna:

red dragin

Quote from: Cazza on May 02, 2019, 12:35:35 PM
Great idea. Clearly works well as seen in many locations right across the US. But the question we should be asking is are QLD drivers up to the challenge? :bna:

Yeah, be interesting to see how the one at the Caloundra exit goes.

I think if they restrict the site lines, in effect hiding the wrong direction to take, they should work OK.

ozbob

Gold Coast Bulletin --> M1 Oxenford interchange plan: 400 plus residents put complaints in writing to State Government


Artist impression of the redevelopment of the M1 interchange at Oxenford

QuoteThe State Government is being warned to rethink the $25 million Oxenford intersection upgrade on the Pacific Motorway after residents rubbished its new plans.

Theodore MP Mark Boothman said he had forwarded more than 400 emails from residents and motorists who had complained to his office about the new designs for Exit 57.

"My office has been inundated with emails and phone calls from residents expressing their dismay at the proposed concept design for Exit 57 and total lack of consultation," Mr Boothman told the Bulletin.

"Even the Minister has admitted — in a Question on Notice in state parliament — there was no consultation with locals or businesses prior to the release of this concept."

Extra turning lanes will be built from the M1 to Hope Island and Tamborine-Oxenford roads but motorists leaving the busy Oxenford shopping precinct can no longer cross the interchange to turn right to drive back south on the highway.

Retailers on the eastern side of the M1 fear they will lose trade and those on the western Oxenford section predict the feeder roads are likely to be in gridlock.

A business operator told Mr Boothman: "The proposed road changes are a poor solution and will negatively impact my business, making it harder for clients to reach shops and losing exposure to passing traffic is a very poor plan for local business."

Another retailer predicted traffic would be moved into "already very congested roundabouts and compound already very busy school traffic during the peak hours".

Mr Boothman said his office had forwarded the comments of residents to Main Roads "so their voices are heard".

"Virtually every resident has said slip lanes that bypass congestion giving access to

the motorway is desperately needed," he said.

"This concept design goes to show the total disregard this government has for the northern Gold Coast.

Area councillor William Owen-Jones on his Facebook page has updated residents on the plans by Main Roads and urged them to contact Mr Boothman as the State representative.

"The city of Gold Coast traffic engineers have been in traffic negotiations with the State in regard to the impact on council controlled roads," Cr Owen-Jones said.

"We're happy for any suggestion from Mr Boothman on how the impact to residents and businesses can be mitigated."

Transport Minister Mark Bailey urged Mr Boothman to "stop playing petty politics" with his attempt to delay the project.

"We're doing what Mark Boothman and the LNP failed to do when they were in government, and that's building a better M1 with this $25 million investment," Mr Bailey said.

The Government was delivering on an election commitment with construction scheduled by the end of this year, he said.

"The Department of Transport and Main Roads is consulting with the community on their upgrade designs and their feedback will help make sure we get this upgrade right," Mr Bailey said.

:fp:
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Couriermail Quest --> Council to investigate new tunnels to solve traffic woes in city's northwest

QuoteBrisbane City Council has confirmed it is seriously looking into an underground solution to fix traffic congestion in some of the city's busiest suburbs.

BRISBANE City Council has announced a two-year study to find subterranean solutions to fix traffic congestion in Brisbane's northwestern suburbs.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has announced a $10 million windfall from the Federal Government to fund a study to cut congestion along the route.

Cr Andrew Wines (Enoggera) said he believed there should be an orbital tunnel from Everton Park to Mt Coot-tha.

"It's about traffic congestion relief for the northwest suburbs," he said.

"It's not about building the northwest corridor and surface options are not being considered, it's all subterranean.

"The project's to make their life better — to put all the traffic underground, not through their suburbs."

While any outcomes from the study could help other areas, like Brisbane's inner west or the suburbs along Gympie Rd, the focus was on traffic in the northwest.

"This is about Everton Park, McDowall, Stafford and Enoggera," Cr Wines said.

"The problem is that over the years, many corridors across the city have had a heap of work done and ours haven't."

He said there had been no action in the decades after the State Government's North Western Corridor was identified.

"We are not prepared to let residents suffer indefinitely from the State Government's lack of action on critical long-term infrastructure projects," he said.

It was not about resurrecting the North West Corridor but taking a "fresh look" at traffic and transport issues through the corridor, with an aim to extend Brisbane Metro.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the government's focus was on fixing the bottlenecks that connected established northside suburbs with fast growing areas further north.

"That's where the population growth is happening, so that's where investment in infrastructure is needed most," he said.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey was unimpressed by the councillor's comments, saying the council needed to clarify for local residents what it was proposing as there had been three different proposals by three different councillors, including the Lord Mayor.

"Cr Cooper wants to use the corridor for green space, Cr Wines is proposing a traffic tunnel but Lord Mayor Schrinner would like the Metro to go through a tunnel but hasn't specified if it's a cut and cover tunnel or an underground boring technique tunnel," Mr Bailey said.

"The Lord Mayor hasn't raised with me the issue of northside congestion as a concern to date but I'm open to discussing it should he seek to consult me.

"Tunnelling needs to be carefully considered by council given it can have serious impacts on residents, including potential issues of subsidence and years of vibrations and disruption during construction.

"It would be sensible for the city council to agree on a single proposal before they start passing judgment on other levels of government."

Mr Bailey said the State Government's focus was on fixing the bottlenecks that connected established northside suburbs with fast-growing areas further north like Petrie, Griffin and Lawnton and the Sunshine Coast beyond.

"That's where the population growth is happening, so that's where investment in infrastructure is needed most," he said.

"We announced funding in this week's budget for a $1 billion upgrade of Brisbane's northern gateway, where the Gateway Motorway and Gympie Road merge.

"We'll do that with federal support, as we will the $125 million Linkfield Rd upgrade, the Beams Rd crossing project and the upgrade of the Strathpine Rd interchange.

"We will also deliver our election commitment to build the Everton Park Link Road, connecting Stafford Rd with South Pine Rd.

"We also support more public transport, so that's why we're investing in the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail and have funded 17 station upgrades in our last budget, including Strathpine, Boondall and Morayfield stations currently under construction on the northside."
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#Metro

Once again council and state at cross purposes.

We need someone else in that portfolio IMHO.

Trouts rd really needs to be rail IMHO. Regional rapid rail or even metro.
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ozbob

Quote from: #Metro on June 18, 2019, 07:33:27 AM
Once again council and state at cross purposes.

We need someone else in that portfolio IMHO.

Trouts rd really needs to be rail IMHO. Regional rapid rail or even metro.

The North Coast Connect business case is due soon.  I am confident that the value for rail of the NWTC will be realised.

TMR
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Community-and-environment/Planning-for-the-future/Preserved-transport-corridors/North-West-Transport-Corridor

QuoteCurrent status
The Western Brisbane Transport Network Investigation identified the North West Transport Corridor as a key part of the network strategy that would provide significant benefits to the transport network if developed.

The multi-modal rail, road and active transport route would run along the preserved North West Transport Corridor connecting into the Stafford Road Tunnel and Inner Orbital tunnel.

The transport corridor would allow greater public transport and active transport opportunities by providing 'turn-up-and-go' rail services and a high-quality cycleway along the corridor.
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Cazza

I had a meeting with a guy from TransUrban a few months back and asked him whether there was any feasibility at all in this tunnel. He said not at all. The traffic volumes would be much too little for the absurd cost.

I for one travel down this corridor between Ashgrove and the Toowong Roundabout and again between Ashgrove and Enoggera on a fairly regular basis and I'd definitely not be using the tunnel, especially if it had a toll on it. All that needs to happen is just intersection upgrades at the major bottlenecks of Macgregor Tce and Latrobe Tce; Macgregor Tce and Simpsons Rd; maybe Jubilee Tce and Waterworks Rd and finally, building an actual overpass at Samford Rd (like I believe was going to happen until the Chinese Restaurant didn't budge).


verbatim9

Quote from: verbatim9 on June 18, 2019, 20:01:58 PM
New NW road tunnel on the cards

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1140896312419745797
^^At least they are looking to go underground with the road leaving the above ground corridor for fast rail

#Metro

What a waste of time! Build a metro like in Sydney.

If built as a two lane road tunnel it will only have a capacity of ~ 4000 pphd. Pointless!

The top can become a nice bikeway, with trees, BBQ and children's play equipment.
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verbatim9

Wow! That accident at Hale and Coronation Drive this morning took out a stop light post and a lamp post.

verbatim9

Everyday the traffic is bumper to bumper from Toowong along Coronation Drive & the Riverside Expressway. Dismantle the REX, build a tunnel from Toowong to Buranda to alleviate traffic along the corridor returning the inner city back to the people. No need to have the Bne CBD acting as a major arterial. All this traffic just wants to go South and East. #arterialroaddisaster

ozbob

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