Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron)

Bus commuters are reaping the rewards of the opening of the 3.5 kilometre Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron).

Opened on schedule, buses started using the two-way tunnel and the iconic Busway Stations at Kedron Brook and Lutwyche on Monday 18 June 2012, marking the end of three years of construction on the project. Passengers are now enjoying more frequent bus services and time savings of up to 15 minutes.

The Northern Busway Draft Concept Design and Impact Management Plan (CDIMP) was developed in 2005 with the aim to improve bus services, improve accessibility and reduce the growth in general traffic through Brisbane’s northern corridor.

The design and construction of the Northern Busway was combined with the delivery of the Airport Link to drive efficiency and minimise costs for the State. Through this coordinated approach the Windsor to Kedron stage of the Busway was delivered 15 years earlier than had been planned and included the future proofing for the next stage of the Busway from Kedron to Bracken Ridge.

Extensive public information and consultation was undertaken throughout the CDIMP process in conjunction with the consultation process for the Airport Link EIS. This joint public consultation process was necessary due to the cumulative impacts of both projects along the construction corridor.

Now operational, the Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) has:

• delivered increased capacity and patronage of Brisbane's public transport network
• protected, and where possible enhanced, the environment through the design and operation of the project
• enhanced the social amenity and desirability of the corridor (especially in the Lutwyche and Kedron Brook areas and Truro Street)
• achieved value for money in the delivery
• been delivered in a timely and coordinated fashion with the Airport Link project.

In addition to more predictable travel times and frequent services, the introduction of the Northern Busway is strengthening the urban centre of Lutwyche with the innovative new busway station connecting both sides of Lutwyche Road. The end of recent construction will bring urban renewal in the area, with future commercial development set to occur along Lutwyche Road, making it the heart of a vibrant community.

Residual land on either side of the Lutwyche Station has great potential for exciting new development opportunities for retail and/or commercial facilities. What has been an epicentre of construction for the last four years, in time, has a future as a renewed urban village precinct with strip shopping including new cafes, shops and commercial facilities.

The project has already delivered new or upgraded footpaths and plantings, linking the existing Memorial Park, Quarry Park and Clark Park. The new features intertwine with the historic trees protected throughout the construction period, including Pop’s Fig and the fig trees near Windsor State School. The historic Windsor School of Arts building was also relocated to a permanent and accessible location in Clark Park.

As the suburban gateway to Airport Link and Northern Busway, the urban design works for the Kedron precinct have focused on re-connecting communities which were separated by roads and the Kedron Brook. The new Kedron Brook Busway Station includes a kiss ‘n’ ride entry plaza and safe access for pedestrians and cyclists from all four directions. Direct access to the two busway stations has been established through the upgrades to the cycle and pedestrian links as well as the inclusion of new pedestrian bridges over Kedron Brook.


Join us on the journey from idea to reality!- Please click on the link for a slideshow.

Airport Roundabout Upgrade

Motorists have been experiencing the benefits of the Airport Flyover which was delivered as part of the Airport Roundabout Upgrade since the eastbound lanes opened to traffic in November 2010, a year ahead of schedule. This was followed by the early opening of the fast diamond intersection and the westbound lanes in February 2011. 

Since opening, motorists are now saving more than 10 minutes in peak hour traffic following construction of the Airport Roundabout Upgrade – a significant and successful solution to one of Brisbane's worst bottlenecks, the old airport roundabout.

In early 2008 the Queensland Government asked the three bidders for Airport Link to consider solutions for the airport roundabout, the Nudgee Road intersection and the East-West Arterial leading from near Sandgate Road to Brisbane Airport.

The public was invited to comment on the draft EAR in October 2008, however no submissions were lodged. The final EAR was submitted to the Department of Main Roads in late 2008, enabling the project to be approved and ultimately, proceed to the construction phase four months ahead of schedule.

To achieve construction efficiencies and better value for the State, the Airport Roundabout Upgrade was constructed with Airport Link.

The main objectives of the project were to:

• improve levels of service to Brisbane Airport and the CBD, reduce traffic delays and improve safety on the East-West Arterial Road and its connections with the State and local road network;
• ensure no adverse impact on the level of service of Gateway Motorway and its connections to the East-West Arterial and Nudgee Road;
• provide for improved access to Australia Trade Coast precincts whilst maintaining local road network connectivity;
• provide value for money for the State
• minimise environmental, economic (including land and business) and social impacts; and
• enable integrated planning and development of the future road network.

Key features included:

• four-lane 750 metre flyover bridge linking the East West Arterial Road and the Airport Drive over the Gateway Motorway overpass
• high capacity 'fast diamond' signalised intersection to replace the existing roundabout
• replacing the existing Gateway Motorway overpass at the roundabout with a new four lane overpass
• widening of East West Arterial Road to three lanes in each direction; and
• surface road improvements to Airport Drive.

The new flyover connecting East West Arterial Road to Airport Drive has dramatically improved traffic flow to and from the airport. The highly efficient signalised fast diamond intersection is allowing motorists to cross in half the time it used to take to get through the old roundabout.

The Airport Flyover has now been fitted with a specially designed LED system that uses 735 energy efficient lights to define both sides of the bridge. The lights can be changed on cue to any colour imaginable. On a day to day basis, the lighting is pre-programmed to a standard solid colour from Monday to Friday, then changing to a rainbow effect on the weekends. The Airport Flyover is a gateway to Brisbane and is now able to reflect significant events in the Queensland calendar including green and gold for ANZAC Day or Maroon for State of Origin.

 

Join us on a journey from idea to reality!- Please click on the link for a slideshow.