Work starts soon on controversial Brisbane transitway

Commuters using one of Brisbane’s busiest roads are in for nearly two years of disruption when work starts on a transitway.

Work starts next month on the controversial Northern Transitway on Gympie Rd. The cars on the right (green area) will no longer be able to park there as that lane will be a busway.

Work on the controversial northern Transitway in Brisbane’s inner-north starts next month and will cause disruptions until early 2023.

Most of the work will be done at night and the local MP says it will lead to faster commutes for bus users and better bus access for people with disabilities.

But local business owners who have fought the project for two years say the impact on street parking will devastate trade.

LNP Marchant ward Councillor, Fiona Hammond, said she held significant concerns despite working with businesses and residents to extract a better deal from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR).

ConsignA-Car owner Yvette Cottrill has led the fight against the transitway.

“This is not a project I believe will deliver the best long-term transport outcomes, it’s nothing more than a bandaid fix,’’ Cr Hammond said.

“Throughout the state’s planning stages I raised concerns about the removal of parking along Gympie Rd, the removal of right turn movements from unsignalised intersections and the removal of bus stops.

“I am pleased following this feedback the bus stops near Coles were retained in the final design.

“This project will likely impact Council’s road network and bus services.

“We have requested the Government monitor traffic movement following its installation to determine any impacts on the road network and any additional works that may be required.’’

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A DTMR spokesman said work would begin next month and run until early next year, weather and construction conditions permitting.

Once the project was complete, the bus lanes would operate in both directions during weekday peak periods.

“For the safety of the work crew, and to minimise impacts on the road network, most works will occur at night,’’ he said.

“Final traffic control and construction arrangements will be made in accordance with relevant standards.

“We will endeavour to reduce disruptions to traffic and minimise impacts to the local community.’’

Cars on the left (in green area) will no longer be able to park there under plans revealed for the Northern Transitway, as that lane will be a busway.

The transitway is, in effect, a priority bus lane, that can be used by taxis, bicycles and limousines.

It will replace the parking shoulder along each side of Gympie Rd, from Sadlier St, Kedron to Hamilton Rd, Chermside.

It includes the removal of two bus stops and hundreds of on-street car parks along the 2.3km route.

Business owner Yvette Cottrill, one of the people who have led protests against it, said the transitway could be the death knell for dozens of businesses with customers having nowhere to park, even on weekends, along Gympie Rd.

“Everybody feels the same way, I have yet to find anyone who is positive and wants it to go ahead,” Ms Cottrill said.

Opponents said they were also concerned lane widths on Gympie Rd, which carries heavy truck traffic, would be cut to about 3m.

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But DTMR said that stretch currently ranged from 3.1-3.7m and would become a “consistent’’ 3.1m, with a bus lane width of 3.5m, along the length of the roadworks.

Council buses are about 2.5m wide.

“The design, including lane widths, has been developed according to DTMR’s Road Planning and Design Manual, DTMR’s Guidelines for Road Design on Brownfields Sites, and other technical standards and guidelines.’’

ALP MP for Stafford, Jimmy Sullivan, said having dedicated bus lanes along Gympie Rd between Kedron and Chermside, with priority at intersections, would save up to six minutes of travel time on some services.

“Locals will have better access to high-frequency services, making the decision to leave the car at home easier,’’ he said.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said 9000 bus users travelled the route each weekday.

He said the project would create 120 jobs during construction.

“The Northern Transitway is a key project for the northside,’’ Mr Bailey said.

* An earlier version of this story stated that a nearby Sci-Fleet dealership appeared to have closed. Sci-Fleet Motors says that is incorrect.