Brisbane’s new party zone made possible by Cross River Rail
Brisbane is set to have a new fun precinct just minutes from the CBD with new bars, cafes and restaurants as well as a what is hoped will become an iconic entrance to one of our sporting treasures.
QLD News
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PLANS are being drawn up for a massive land bridge to carry fans out of Brisbane’s new underground and into the iconic Gabba sporting ground through what it is hoped will become one of Brisbane’s premier food, drink and entertainment precincts.
The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority is working on plans that would replace the closed roads and transport frustration for sports fans and commuters with something akin to the famous Wembley Way serving London’s home of football.
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The Courier-Mail, in conjunction with the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, is presenting a series looking at the project and what it will bring to the state.
As well as the land bridge over Main Street, Cross River Rail is promising that sports fans will be able to get from the city to the Gabba inside five minutes when Brisbane’s underground opens.
Lions member Libby Teece said having the new station so close to the Gabba would be great for fans.
“It will definitely improve access to the stadium and make it easier for people to get in and out,” she said. “I think getting to the Gabba from the city will be a lot faster and people might go to the city after a game for drinks or dinner.”
More than 7700 people will work on the Cross River Rail project over the five years of construction, with 400 local suppliers signed up and more than 160 apprentice and traineeship positions filled of 450 to be created.
The 10.2km rail line will run from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, which includes 5.9km of twin tunnels under the Brisbane River and Brisbane CBD.
By introducing another river crossing, Brisbane’s rail network can have more trains more often while the underground means less of the CBD is given over to rail tracks, with a better public transport system taking thousands of cars from roads.
“What we’d like to see is a wide pedestrian bridge going from the Gabba (Cross River Rail) site across to the stadium where people can come back or before the game and into the Gabba site where there will be a mixed use of retail, restaurants, commercial, residential, open spaces and parks,” tunnels, stations and development project director Jeremy Kruger said
“There’s a great opportunity to have a great space people can use. You will be able to finish work in the CBD, jump on the train to the Gabba and go and see the Lions or the cricket in minutes,” Mr Kruger said.
State Development Minister Kate Jones said the Gabba was an example of how infrastructure was making Brisbane more liveable.
“When we started talking about the Woolloongabba station, no one would have thought we’d be the home of AFL for the country,” she said.
“What COVID has thrown up is that you can’t predict, but economies investing in good quality infrastructure … will have an edge.”