“We’ve taken two of Brisbane’s major congestion challenges – the Merivale train bridge and the Cultural Centre bus precinct – and come up with an affordable and elegant solution,” said premier Campbell Newman. “The project we are announcing today delivers the public transport services needed for the next 50 years.
A single 15m-wide tunnel will be built, requiring the largest TBM ever used in Australia.
Transport minister Scott Emerson said the estimated AU$5bn (£2.9bn) project would deliver better passenger outcomes than proposed by a proposed AU$5.2bn cross river rail tunnel and the AU$2.8bn ‘Suburbs to City’ project.
Early works are expected to start in 2015.
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