Report into Northwest Transport Corridor expected this year

A major plan to ease the worsening traffic jams on Brisbane’s northside are progressing with a consultancy firm hired and a new report due later this year.

PLANS to ease traffic congestion in Brisbane’s northside are moving forward with an international consultancy firm employed to help create a new transport corridor.

With unfettered new housing development across the northern suburbs adding more and more traffic onto the roads, a trip from North Lakes to the Brisbane CBD — about 30km — can take up to 90 minutes in peak hour traffic.

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Brisbane City Council is well aware of the issue and is examining the transport network between Toowong and Bald Hills for opportunities to “deliver more travel options and boost safety for travel”.

It has engaged Arup to assist in developing a business case for the North West Transport Corridor with a $3.5 million contract.

The corridor is listed in the Council of Mayors’ SEQ People Mass Movement Study, stating it would be an urban passenger rail and four-lane urban motorway from Bald Hills to Stafford Road and Alderley Station.

North West Transport Corridor arterial road rail option from 2016.

“We need Metro and mass transit on the northside. That will be our focus, going forward,” Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner was quoted as saying last June.

Arup has been tasked with examining transport modelling and analysis, road crash data and environmental assessment within the study area between Toowong and Bald Hills.

The company’s $3.5 million contract was made up of funds from the $10 million already pledged by the Federal Government to develop the business case.

Brisbane City Council completed the first round of community consultation for the study in December and January, and plans to release a consultation report later this year.

“The response from residents during the first phase of community consultation was incredibly encouraging with more than 3400 responses to the online survey and poll with overwhelming support for better public and active transport as well as road improvements,” a council spokeswoman said.

“Following (the release of the consultation report), Council will identify potential solutions to ease traffic congestion and boost safety and plans to publish the business case in 2021.”

There were claims made last year by the unsuccessful Labor candidate for the McDowall Ward, Liam Culverhouse, that the corridor was just a push for a massive new road toll through several northern suburbs.

Though this claim was brushed aside by re-elected councillor Tracy Davis who called it “a little mischievous and political”.

Originally published as Report into Northwest Transport Corridor expected this year