New Brisbane bridges in the wrong place

Brisbane needs a second Walter Taylor bridge more than it needs five new green bridges, Transport Minister Mark Bailey says.

Brisbane needs a second Walter Taylor bridge more than it needs five new green bridges, state Transport Minister Mark Bailey says.

In a slapdown of incoming Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner’s first promise to residents, Mr Bailey said the Walter Taylor — connecting Graceville and Chelmer to Indooroopilly — was far more urgent.

“It is simply unacceptable to have a single lane of traffic being funnelled into the CBD along this vital route. It just does not work,’’ said Mr Bailey, whose electorate of Miller covers the area.

“While I’m certainly not going to oppose five green bridges, where is the action on the Walter Taylor?

“This is the most congested river crossing in Brisbane.’’

50C A DAY FOR 6 MONTHS: SUBSCRIBE TO WESTSIDE NEWS &

THE COURIER MAIL

Mr Bailey has long campaigned on duplicating the bridge and last year jumped on his bicycle to demonstrate that traffic was so bad it was faster to walk or ride than drive a car in peak hour.

Councillor Julian Simmonds (Walter Taylor) recently promised to fight for funding from Canberra for an upgraded Indooroopilly roundabout if elected to the federal seat of Ryan.

LNP candidate for Ryan, Cr Julian Simmonds, at the Walter Taylor Bridge. Picture: AAP/ John Gass

But Mr Bailey said Cr Simmonds had been in a position for the past 10 years to fix the roundabout and had done nothing, not to mention duplicating the bridge.

He said there was a corridor already allocated on the downstream side of the four adjacent road, rail and cycle bridges so work could proceed relatively quickly.

MP WANTS COUNCIL TO FUND DUPLICATE BRIDGE

THE ROAD SO SLOW A JOGGER CAN OUTRUN CARS

Cr Nicole Johnston (Tennyson), whose ward covers the southern approaches of the bridge, supported his call for action

“A new green bridge to facilitate public and active transport would be great for Brisbane, but five seems excessive when the LNP has failed to invest in the necessary future planning to reduce congestion along Oxley Rd and the Walter Taylor Bridge corridor,” Cr Johnston said.

Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner said he was surprised Mr Bailey was focusing on a bridge for private vehicles.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. Picture: AAP/Josh Woning

“Bridges aren’t green if they have cars on them. It’s surprising that the Minister for Transport is encouraging more people to drive,” Cr Schrinner said.

“We’re focused on more sustainable forms of transport and green bridges are all about giving alternatives to private motor vehicle use.

“That’s why I have announced a plan for five new green bridges to help reduce traffic congestion and dramatically improve Brisbane’s cross-river connectivity.

“This vision is a natural extension of the work I have done over the last three years leading the Brisbane Metro project and rolling out new bike paths and cycling infrastructure across the city.”

Cr Schrinner has proposed river links at Bellbowrie, Toowong-West End, St Lucia-West End, Kangaroo Point to the CBD and at Breakfast Creek.