Cyclists will ride over the river: Veloway’s finale

It’s a dramatic way to end your bike ride. Cyclists on a new 45km route from the southside to the CBD will swoop down over the river at Kangaroo Point.

Artist's impression of Stage E of the Veloway bikeway at Lower River Terrace, Kangaroo Point.

It is the most dramatic stage of Queensland’s longest, most ambitious bikeway project and will allow cyclists to zoom right over the Brisbane river.

But a Greens Councillor said he had reservations about aspects of the idea, and cautioned that it was not yet a done deal.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, a keen cyclist, and Deputy Premier Jackie Trad on Monday announced the latest part of the State Government’s Veloway 1 (V1).

Stages A-D are already mostly complete and in use. Stage E is well under way.

Ms Trad said as the South Brisbane area continued to grow, such projects were becoming more important.

She said the Government had invested in $24 million in local bike riding infrastructure.

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The V1 is a dedicated bikeway designed to connect Lower River Tce in South Brisbane with Eight Mile Plains, 17km to the south, adjacent to the Pacific Motorway.

Upgrades to the V1 have been progressing in stages to remove multiple road crossings and to improve safety where on-road crossings still exist, with sections opened last year.

Artist’s impressions show Stage E will sweep down from the top of the Kangaroo Point cliffs in a wide arc over the river, making landfall near the Maritime Museum.

Stages 1A-C of Brisbane City Council’s connecting, $7 million Kangaroo Point Bikeway stirred up a hornet’s nest among nearby unit owners after trees were cut down and scarce on-street parking spaces removed on Little Dock St, just after draft plans were first released in March, 2018.

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The draft plans also showed Little Dock St would become a shared roadway for vehicles and bicycles, with the speed limit would be lowered to 30km/h.

South Bank Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Bill Delves cautioned at the time that it had not (at that stage) endorsed the plan.

“The plans must adequately consider the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles — all of which access that area — in addition to meeting South Bank’s high standards,” he said at the time.

But the State Government, which committed about $1.6 million towards the planning of the “velobridge’’ at Lower River Tce, said it would address the problem of a steep climb from river level to the top of the cliffs, and would mean cyclists would not have to cross the road to access the Veloway.

Stage E is expected to be completed by mid-2020, weather permitting, when a business case for the bridge is also due for public release.

Public consultation for the bridge has now opened.

Councillor Jonathan Sri (The Gabba) said while he generally supported bikeways, it was important to note that the government had not yet allocated funding.

“The people who are getting excited about this proposal need toremeber thatti could be years before this is built, but if the Government signals it is going to go ahead with this, we are unlikely to get any further interim upgrades to improve safety in the meantime,’’ he said.

“It will undoubtedly have some pretty significant impacts on all modes of traffic, and nearby residents, during the construction phase.

“So a decision to push ahead with the project shouldn’t be made lightly, particularly when there are lots of other cycling blackspots that also urgently need funding.’’

He claimed a far simpler, cheaper and faster fix would be to closeLower River Tce to car through-traffic just before the intersection with the road leading up to Ellis St.

Mr Bailey said it was too early to confirm a final costing for the bridge.

He said the announcement added to major cycling infrastructure works under way around Brisbane.

“The bridge in South Brisbane complements the $45 million Veloway Stage E at Tarragindi, North Brisbane Bikeway and additions to bike riding infrastructure along the Ipswich Mwy, the Gateway Arterial North and Centenary Hwy,” Mr Bailey said.

Bicycle Queensland welcomed the announcement of the plans.

“If we flatten out this first section of the V1, it will make this trip by bicycle more attractive to riders of all ages and abilities,” Bicycle Queensland spokesperson Andrew Demack said.

“If more people can use this vital bikeway, it will reduce congestion in other parts of South

Brisbane’s transport network.

“These plans are a win-win for everyone. Investing in high-quality bicycle and pedestrian

infrastructure in Brisbane’s inner urban areas just makes sense on all levels.”

A business case is being developed for the proposed veloway, with engineering consulting firm SMEC awarded the contract to confirm the project’s feasibility and cost of the preferred option.