Frequently asked questions


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 benefits of Airport Link?

Airport Link is expected to:

• cater for 95,000 motorists a day in 2012 rising to 120,000 by 2026
• enable motorists to bypass 16 sets of traffic lights between Bowen Hills and Kedron and 14 sets of traffic lights between Bowen Hills and Toombul
• enhance the liveability of the northern suburbs with freed-up surface road space available for improved public transport and pedestrian and cycling links
• provide opportunities for better land use in the inner northern suburbs currently affected by traffic congestion
• reduce congestion-related air pollution within the project corridor
• reduce road traffic noise for properties fronting roads within the project corridor.

Why is the Windsor to Kedron section of the Northern Busway being delivered with Airport Link?

The Business Case for the Northern Busway (Royal Children’s Hospital to Kedron) recommended building the section of the busway between Constitution Road, Windsor and Sadlier Street, Kedron with Airport Link to maximise benefits and minimise local impacts and costs.

This section also has similar works (tunnelling) and significant capital works closely linked to Airport Link, particularly in Kedron.

This 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) is expected to open in late 2009.

How long will construction take?

If approved, construction would commence soon after Financial Close with the preferred tenderer. Construction would take approximately four years and is expected to open in 2012.

Will my property be affected?

At this stage owners and residents of the properties that may be potentially 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 will liaise with landowners whose properties could be directly affected by the projects as the projects’ progress. 

Will I be compensated if my house is resumed?

If Airport Link proceeds and your 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 will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

What happens if my house is damaged during construction of the tunnel?

If the project is approved, measures will be put into place to protect all parties concerned and manage potential damage to property caused by construction. An assessment would be undertaken to identify properties near the tunnel that could be at risk of some damage. A pre-condition (building) survey would be carried out on properties that could be at risk and a copy of the survey would be given to the property owner. This would allow for potential construction damage to be assessed and repairs undertaken for any tunnel-related settlement or vibration. Compensation would be payable if the damage was found to have been caused by the project.

Where will the Airport Link entry points and exits be located?

Tunnel portals (entrances/exits) are proposed 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 reference 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.

As part of the change process, will there be public consultation on the projects?

If a change process proceeds for Airport Link, the Coordinator-General may determine that further public consultation is required on the proposed changes and the potential impacts of these changes.

If required, consultation on the preferred bidder’s design for Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) will be held at the same time as the Airport Link change process.

If public consultation on the changes to the projects proceeds, the community will be notified through a number of ways including newspaper public notices and a newsletter.

Will there be a toll to use Airport Link and how much will it be?

The Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council have approved the Airport Link business case, which found the project was financially viable and a 'user-pays' facility. Based on the project reference design, the business case determined the toll level for Airport Link to be $3.64 for a full (north-south) trip and $2.43 for a part (east-west) trip, calculated in 2006 dollars and including GST.

How far underground will the Airport Link tunnel be situated?

The Airport Link tunnel will be up to 32m underground between Windsor and Kedron, and up to 40m underground between Kedron and Clayfield.

Who do I contact for more information on the projects?

For general enquiries CNI can be contacted during business hours on 1800  99 00 38 (freecall).

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