Moves to build a metro system in Brisbane ihave won broad cross-party political support as the feasibility study continues although work may not get underway until the next decade.
The subway plan includes a rail tunnel up to 6km long from Park Road in Buranda to Woolloongabba, together with new underground train stations including facilities at Gardens Point and in Brisbane’s financial district where up to six stations could be built. A station is also planned at Woolloongabba,
The US$4.3M inner city rail capacity study is being carried out by Maunsell/Parsons Brinkerhoff for the Queensland state government and is to be completed in the second half of this year. The study will identify and assess options for development of the inner-city rail network, including river crossings, up to 2026.
Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, said the scheme would include a tunnel crossing under the Brisbane river, which would augment the existing Merivale rail bridge that will become a capacity bottleneck by around 2016 as many new services are being added.
No details of the cost of the project have been released but the rail tunnel could cost at least several billion dollars, the state government has said.
Brisbane City Council and both political parties back the scheme. The business district, especially Queensland University of Technology and Riverside Centre are underserved, advocates said.
