Thousands of people will today get a sneak peek of the new Adelaide Street tunnel, ahead of its opening to services on Monday 29 September.
The tunnel will carry around 1400 bus and metro trips every weekday, reducing congestion in the CBD and creating capacity for Brisbane's future growth.
The tunnel tours showcased the 213-metre connection, including its acoustics, with a performance from local Brisbane string ensemble Paradiso Strings.
More than half a million hours of work have been completed to deliver this vital piece of transport infrastructure.
The project featured an Australian-first tunnelling method that allowed works to continue around the clock, with minimal impact on pedestrians, businesses and traffic on the surface.
The Adelaide Street tunnel was funded in partnership with the Australian Government and delivers a dedicated connection between North Quay and King George Square station, linking the Inner Northern and South East busways to make journeys faster and more reliable.
The tunnel opening is an important step in Brisbane's public transport evolution and follows the launch of Brisbane's New Bus Network, M1 and M2 services, and the delivery of key busway station upgrades at Cultural Centre, King George Square, UQ Lakes and Buranda.
The Brisbane Metro continues to grow in popularity, with more than 4 million trips taken since launch, including 3,185,274 trips on M2 which launched on 28 January and 825,646 trips on M1 since it launched on 30 June.
The Australian Government has committed over $400 million toward the Brisbane Metro project.
Tunnel fast facts:
- The full length of the tunnel is 213 metres.
- The tunnel roof is positioned between 3 and 6 metres (one to two building stories) below Adelaide Street.
- It has two bus lanes, one in each direction, each 3.5 metres wide.
- Over 39,500 cubic metres of soil have been mined to make space for the Adelaide Street tunnel - enough to fill nearly 16 Olympic swimming pools.
- Over 500,000 hours have been worked on the Adelaide Street tunnel.
The tunnel project has created approximately 960 jobs.
Quotes attributable to Acting Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Julie Collins:
"The Albanese Labor Government is building Brisbane's future, investing in transport projects that will revitalise the city and reshape the way we move.
"We have invested over $400 million towards this transformative project to make it easier for people to get to work, to support local businesses, and to get about this great city."
Quotes attributable to Civic Cabinet Chair for Public Transport Councillor Andrew Wines:
"It's clear residents are passionate about the future of public transport.
"With more than 600 people moving to Brisbane every week, Metro is the high-frequency, high-capacity service Brisbane needs to make the step change from public transport to mass transit.
"The Schrinner Council is committed to keeping Brisbane moving and is the only local government in Queensland that subsidises bus services, with a record $210 million invested in this subsidy this financial year, covering 25 per cent of all operating costs.
"This completes the delivery of the M1 and M2 lines, bringing turn-up-and-go transport for Brisbane.
"We look forward to working with other levels of government to deliver future expansions that will bring Metro to more people in more places."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Brisbane Madonna Jarrett:
"Southeast Queensland being one of the most rapidly growing regions anywhere in the country, which is why it's so critical to supporting the infrastructure Brisbane needs to be well connected, supporting liveability and economic activity.
"The Albanese Government is investing in nationally significant projects to build Brisbane and Queensland's future, by partnering with local and state governments to invest in the infrastructure our communities need to thrive."
