Congestion Busting Gympie Road Bypass Tunnel
Brisbane needs another tunnel: Lord Mayor
Residents are being strongly urged to voice their support for a new congestion-busting tunnel in Brisbane’s north.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane is the fastest-growing capital city in Australia and the proposed Gympie Road Bypass Tunnel is critically important to getting motorists moving.
The 7km tunnel between Carseldine and Kedron will connect to Airport Link, reduce congestion on Gympie Road and create opportunities for new public and active transport solutions.
The tunnel was a key proposal of Council’s North West Transport Network study last year.
“When it comes to the Brisbane transport network, this tunnel is the critical missing piece in the puzzle,” Cr Schrinner said.
“It is Brisbane’s most important future project, bar none.
“Like Brisbane’s south has the South East Freeway, Brisbane’s north needs the Gympie Road Bypass Tunnel.
“The public consultation for this tunnel is open until December 3 and Brisbane motorists shouldn’t miss this opportunity to have their voices heard.
“Brisbane’s north needs solutions to traffic congestion, not further studies, but hopefully this latest investigation will lead to the important project actually being built.”
Northern Brisbane Infrastructure, a company established by Queensland Investment Corporation, is currently undertaking a detailed investment proposal into the Gympie Road Bypass Tunnel.
Council’s study found annual congestion and public transport crowding costs in Brisbane’s north will increase from $312 million in 2021 to $538 million by 2032 and $859 million by 2041 without significant intervention.
The study proposed an eastern tunnel option that would link west-bound motorists to the Inner City Bypass and Legacy Way Tunnel.
Between 59,900 and 102,600 vehicles a day were forecast to use the tunnel by 2041.
An alternative 12 km western alignment that could link with another future tunnel to Indooroopilly was also proposed.
Bus rapid transit infrastructure along Gympie Road that would connect with the Northern Busway should be built in conjunction with a tunnel, the study found.
Brisbane Civic Cabinet Chair for Infrastructure Andrew Wines said it was important motorists voiced their support as local Labor members were giving residents mixed messages about the tunnel.
“Transport Minister Mark Bailey must be getting dizzy from changing positions about whether he supports this important proposal,” Cr Wines said.
“In less than a year, Minister Bailey went from branding our congestion-busting plan a fantasy to lauding the exact same tunnel after QIC decided to progress our proposal.
“And poor Labor MP for Aspley Bart Mellish doesn’t know whether he’s Arthur or Martha on this issue.
“Backflip Bart went from playing spooky music about our tunnel to claiming he was super excited about the exact same tunnel.
“Our Council team has a proud record of delivering tunnels, like the Clem 7 and Legacy Way, which are helping keep Brisbane moving.
“Labor can’t be trusted to support the Gympie Road Bypass Tunnel and will simply walk away after the next state election.”
Further details about the Congestion Busting Gympie Road Bypass Tunnel and Council’s North West Transport Network study can be found here: