This was published 5 years ago
Elevated Bicentennial Bikeway scrapped after $200m price tag revealed
By Lucy Stone
The state government has scrapped an idea for an elevated bikeway along the redeveloped Queens Wharf precinct, with a report finding it could cost $200 million.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the estimated cost of such a bikeway would use almost all of the four-year budget set aside by the state government for cycling infrastructure.
Early concepts for an elevated bikeway drew on other cities and systems.
The study launched in June last year had examined how best to keep pedestrians and riders separate along the busy pathway.
The 4.5-kilometre bikeway, which runs from Toowong to the Goodwill Bridge, carries more than 4000 cyclists and 1600 pedestrians a day.
Brisbane City Council and the state government have been upgrading the bikeway to separate pedestrian and cycling, but the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf development caused headaches as a section of the pathway was predicted to see pedestrians and cyclists fight for space.
“The Bicentennial Bikeway needs to change due to the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development,” Mr Bailey said.
“This study included engineering assessments and discussions with stakeholders to determine whether an elevated section of the bikeway could be included in the upgrade.
“The study suggested an elevated bikeway less than one kilometre long over Queen’s Wharf could cost nearly $200 million, and even then not necessarily deliver what stakeholders want.”
Mr Bailey said the single kilometre of infrastructure could use the bulk of the $240 million set aside for cycling projects across the state.
Bicycle Queensland chief executive Anne Savage supported the decision to scrap the concept.
“Ultimately any solution needs to represent good value for money for taxpayers and guarantee a safe and seamless option for cyclists,” Ms Savage said.
“The proposal for an elevated section of bikeway failed on all counts.”
Mr Bailey said a new proposal would be developed for a long-term solution for the bikeway, with more investigations to continue until mid-2019.
A section of the bikeway was closed in July last year for 12 months due to construction on Queen’s Wharf, with cyclists redirected around the major development site.