Brisbane is at the centre of an infrastructure boom and it’s the locals who will benefit. There are currently more than $17 billion worth of projects that will be delivered in the city by 2025. Several key projects that are planned and underway will improve connectivity in urban areas and reduce congestion in key roadways. We’ve outlined three of these projects that will change the face of Brisbane.
The Cross River Rail
At a cost of $5.4 billion, the Cross River Rail will connect Dutton Park to Bowen Hills with 10.2 kilometres of new rail lines. It also includes a state of the art tunnel that will cross under the Brisbane River and central business district. Four new underground stations will be created at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert and Roma Streets. Existing stations, including Dutton Park and Exhibition, will also be upgraded.
This project will enable commuters to travel more frequently and quicker across the city. The new stations will also create economic benefits by revitalising the inner-city precincts that surround them while servicing high-growth residential, commercial and prominent event areas. They will also generate opportunities for jobs, not just in creating the infrastructure but also servicing the surrounding area on an ongoing basis. It’s expected that 164,000 passengers will travel on the Cross River Rail every day.
The Centenary Motorway
Connecting Brisbane’s Western Corridor to its inner north and CBD, the Centenary Motorway aims to reduce road congestion and improve safety. This project is being driven by the growing population in Ipswich, Springfield and the Ripley Valley. For example, it’s estimated that Ipswich will have the largest population growth of any local government area in South East Queensland between 2016 and 2041. This alone will result in 393,000 new residents and 61,000 jobs.
The initiative is not just focused on population growth though, it also addresses significant safety issues. Between 2010 and 2016 there were 192 crashes recorded on the Centenary Motorway. To address this and reduce congestion the work will include on-ramps and off-ramps, smart freeway technology and road widening.
Brisbane Metro
Brisbane’s bus network has been slow and unreliable due to congestion on roads and bus stations. But with demand for public transport services increasing, it has been recognised that this needs to be addressed. It’s projected that the number of passengers using these services will increase by 58% by 2031, so there’s no time to waste.
The Brisbane Metro will remove major bottlenecks on the South East Busway and construct a new underground bus station and tunnel. This is expected to make it quicker and easier for people to get on and off public transport without disrupting traffic. The project will cost over $900 million and deliver a net present value of $1.2 billion.
With so many new projects in the pipeline, an employment boom is expected in Brisbane. Partner with the right agency to take advantage of these opportunities as they arise.
