Tolls to be scrapped on Go Between Bridge during metro construction

NOTE: The toll arrangements have been revised since this article was published. Residents of three inner-city suburbs will be given a toll rebate for the Go Between Bridge equivalent to about 30 trips when construction begins on Brisbane Metro.

Tolls will be removed on Brisbane’s Go Between Bridge for the residents of South Brisbane when work begins to make the Victoria Bridge car-free in mid-2021.

The announcement came as the state government finally reached agreement with Brisbane City Council over the $1.2 billion Brisbane Metro busway project.

Brisbane Metro's electric mega-buses will use fast-charging technology from ABB.Credit:

The council and toll company Transurban will share the toll expense while construction of the Brisbane Metro Cultural Centre bus station is under way at South Brisbane and the changes to the Victoria Bridge begin.

The tolls will be scrapped for South Brisbane suburbs residents and details, most likely using vehicle registration plate camera technology, are now being discussed.

The tolls will be wiped because the Go Between Bridge, from South Brisbane to Milton, will be used more heavily by motorists while construction is ongoing.

Cars now pay a $3.29 toll while light commercial vehicles pay $4.94 on the 300-metre Go Between Bridge.

The toll waiver will begin when the work to remove traffic from the Victoria Bridge starts in 2021, much to the delight of South Brisbane MP Jackie Trad.

"My community shouldn’t be disadvantaged by Brisbane Metro. The toll relief is critical for local motorists who want to access the city," she said.

Ms Trad said she was pleased approval had been given to provide shade on the Victoria Bridge, an issue she raised in August.

"I'm excited we’ve finally locked in a solution that will make those trips across the river more comfortable, particularly in summer," she said.

A tunnel will also be built under Adelaide Street to connect Brisbane Metro to King George Square after it crosses the Victoria Bridge.

The Queensland government argued in June 2019 that major changes were needed to the location of the underground bus station at the Cultural Centre at South Brisbane.

Fifteen months later, and with days to go before the Queensland government slips into election caretaker mode, it has come to an agreement with the council.

In the major change for the public, the Victoria Bridge will become a "green bridge" catering for pedestrians, buses and bicycles only.

The small parcel of land beside South Brisbane train station will become a park.

Agreement was reached in an exchange of letters between lord mayor Adrian Schrinner and Transport Minister Mark Bailey last week.

Patronage on the Go Between Bridge has been declining since 2018.Credit: Daniel Hurst

Mr Bailey said the lengthy negotiations with the council meant the project could cater for future growth.

"The state government has worked with council on several conditions to the approval that supports better community outcomes," he said.

Brisbane City Council's public transport committee chairman Ryan Murphy said the agreement also meant a cycleway would be built down Melbourne Street in 2021.

Cr Murphy said the Cultural Centre busway station would be built at ground level and the Adelaide Street tunnel would be "bored underground" to connect with the King George Square Busway to reduce the impact on traffic of a major excavation project.

Patronage on the Go Between Bridge has declined to 11,000 vehicles a day since 2018, with the RACQ describing it as a "ghost town" in February 2020.