Frequently asked questions - Update
The $4.8 billion Airport Link, Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) and Airport Roundabout Upgrade is Australia’s largest infrastructure project, creating more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. The three- projects-in-one, scheduled for completion in mid 2012, will be constructed together for efficiency and better value for the State.
What is Airport Link?
Airport Link is a mainly underground toll road planned between Brisbane’s northern suburbs, the airport and the inner city.
Airport Link will connect the North-South Bypass Tunnel, Inner City Bypass and local road network at Bowen Hills to the northern arterials of Gympie Road and Stafford Road at Kedron and Sandgate Road and the East-West Arterial in the city’s north-east.
What will Airport Link include?
Airport Link is expected to include:
- connections to the Inner City Bypass and the North-South Bypass Tunnel at Bowen Hills, to Sandgate Road and the East-West Arterial at Clayfield, and Gympie Road and Stafford Road at Kedron;
- a ventilation system for managing in-tunnel air quality, including ventilation outlets and a ventilation fan station near to each ventilation outlet;
- a fire and safety system;
- in-tunnel traffic management and control centre; and
- emergency service facilities.
Why was Airport Link proposed?
By 2026, the population of South East Queensland is expected to increase from 2.6 million to about 3.7 million, with Brisbane bearing the brunt of that growth.
Our existing road network cannot accommodate the expected increase in traffic associated with this growth as more and more people travel to the inner city to access employment, commercial and administrative services, and cultural and recreational opportunities.
Every year our roads are becoming more congested during peak periods. Traffic pressures are causing delays and frustration for both motorists and public transport users, especially on major northside arterials such as Sandgate Road and Lutwyche Road.
Ongoing development of the Australia TradeCoast precinct will lead to employment and residential growth causing even more traffic. The precinct comprises 8000 hectares of commercial and industrial land surrounding Brisbane’s seaport and domestic and international airports.
What are the key benefits of Airport Link?
On completion by mid-2012, the Airport Link project is expected to:
- significantly reduce traffic congestion in inner northern suburbs with motorists able to bypass 18 sets of traffic lights between Bowen Hills the airport and travel time savings of up to 17 minutes;
- enhance the liveability of the northern suburbs with freed-up surface road space available for iproved public transport and pedestrian and cycling links;
- reduce congestion-related air pollution within the project corridor; and
- reduce road traffic noise for properties fronting roads within the project corridor.
What are the key benefits of the Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron)?
The Windsor to Kedron section of the Northern Busway will include 1.5 kilometres of tunnel and is part of a busway network for Brisbane that will eventually span the city and will combine with the existing rail network to complete the city’s major public transport system.
Key features include:
- state of the art bus stations at Lutwyche and Kedron
- ability to cater for 47,000 public transport trips per day by 2016 – more than five times the current number; and
- a bus every 20 seconds by 2026.
What are the key benefits of the Airport Roundabout Upgrade (ARU)?
The ARU will improve traffic movements at one of Brisbane’s busiest intersections.
The existing roundabout will be replaced with a signalled intersection and a flyover above the Gateway Motorway. In addition, the East West Arterial will be expanded from four to six lanes for four kilometres approaching the intersection and will bypass the Nudgee Road intersection completely with a 750 metre bridge.
Why is the Windsor to Kedron section of the Northern Busway being delivered with Airport Link?
Building the section of the busway between Constitution Road, Windsor and Sadlier Street, Kedron with Airport Link is ensuring efficiency and better value for the State.
This section has similar works (tunnelling) and significant capital works closely linked to Airport Link, particularly in Kedron.
The construction of the two projects offers a significant opportunity to drive better value for money and better outcomes for the local community (for example, by avoiding separate construction of two major projects).
Airport Link and the Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) are expected to be completed in 2012.
The Business Case recommended building the section of the busway from Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) to Northey Street, Windsor separately because it is physically separate from Airport Link and involves different types of work (above ground structures compared to tunnels in Lutwyche and Kedron).
The Northern Busway (RCH to Windsor) opened last year. Further expansion of the Northern Busway has been identified as an option by the State Government through the ‘Western Brisbane Transport Network Investigation’, and planning is currently underway for an expansion connecting Kedron with Bracken Ridge via Chermside and Aspley. For further information visit www.translink.com.au/northernbusway
How long will construction take?
Construction of the Airport Link and the Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) began in November 2008. The start of construction was marked by official ceremony attended by Premier Anna Bligh. The construction of the Airport Roundabout Upgrade began in April 2009, four months ahead of schedule.
The Airport Roundabout Upgrade is expected to be completed by mid-2011, a year before the opening of the Airport Link tunnel and Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) in mid-2012.
Will my property be affected?
Owners and residents of the properties that are affected by the Airport Link and Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) projects have been notified by City North Infrastructure’s (CNI) land team. The land team has liaised with landowners whose properties are directly affected by the projects as the projects’ progress.
Will I be compensated if my house is resumed?
If a property is acquired, compensation will be payable in accordance with the Acquisition of Land Act 1967. This Act outlines the process for compensation for anyone with an interested in a property to be acquired. All claims are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
What happens if my house is damaged during construction of the tunnel?
Measures have been put into place to protect all parties concerned and manage potential damage to property caused by construction. An assessment is being undertaken to identify properties near the tunnel that could be at risk of some damage. A pre-condition (building) survey is carried out on properties that may be at risk and a copy of the survey is given to the property owner. This allows for potential construction damage to be assessed and repairs undertaken for any tunnel-related settlement or vibration. Compensation is payable if the damage was found to have been caused by the project.
How will the project mitigate properties impacted by construction?
Despite all efforts to minimise construction impacts through design and the measures above, there may be some situations where certain individuals are exposed to high levels of ongoing disruption.
Any properties identified as being in this situation will be investigated on an individual basis to ensure the project meets the reasonable needs of the resident.
Depending on the situation with the property, monitoring will be undertaken to establish whether the noise, dust and vibration goals, as set by the Coordinator General, are being exceeded. the project may offer mitigation measures that are reasonable and practical to mitigate impacts from construction.
Where will the Airport Link entry points and exits be located?
Tunnel portals (entrances/exits) will be at Bowen Hills, Kedron and Toombul as part of the project reference design.
How many ventilation outlets will Airport Link have and where will they be located?
The Airport Link project requires three ventilation outlets, with one near each of the main connections at Windsor, Kedron and Clayfield.
What will happen if the project reference designs change?
Click here for information on a change process.
Will there be a toll to use Airport Link and how much will it be?
The Airport Link will have an innovative free-flowing tolling system when complete in 2012. All existing free routes will remain. If you enter the Airport Link tunnel system, you will be required to pay a toll.
In 2012, the trip between Bowen Hills and Toombul (to the airport) is expected to cost $4.85.
Tolls will be increased in line with the Consumer Price Index (Brisbane) and an estimate of what they may be in 2012 is around:
- ♣ $4.85 from between Bowen Hills and Kedron
- ♣ $4.85 for trip between Bowen Hills and Toombul
- ♣ $3.65 for a trip between Kedron and Toombul.
(This based on an assumed 3% CPI rate).
How far underground will the Airport Link tunnel be situated?
The average tunnel depth for the Airport Link will be between 2555 metres from the surface to the top of the tunnel.
Who do I contact for more information on the projects?
BrisConnections and Thiess John Holland must provide a transparent system through which enquiries and complaints are logged and addressed. This system is in place and includes a 24-hour Community Hotline which is operated by the project’s construction company Thiess John Holland.
Please call 1800 721 783 (freecall) or email contactus@tjh.com.au. A member of Thiess John Holland’s community relations team will respond to your call as soon as possible.
Details on the numbers of enquiries and complaints are published each month on the project website www.brisconnections.com.au.
City North Infrastructure (representing the State Government) also provides an information line 1800 990 038. You can contact CNI between 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday
For property related enquiries the CNI property team can be contacted during business hours on 1800 79 41 88 (freecall).
All enquiries may also be directed to email info@cni.qld.gov.au