A major milestone for Brisbane Metro is underway, with live weekend testing of the new Adelaide Street Tunnel starting this month.
As part of the testing buses and metros will drive through the new tunnel for the very first time.
When the tunnel opens for passengers this year, it will carry more than 1390 buses and Metro vehicles every day.
This will ease congestion in the CBD by moving services off street level and into the new underground link.
Over 10 weekends, a dedicated team of up to 70 specialists will carry out critical commissioning works – from activating smart software systems and testing lighting and ventilation, to integrating public announcements and communications with the existing busway network.
The tunnel will be rigorously tested under 70 different operational scenarios to ensure every system, sensor and safety feature works seamlessly before passengers are welcomed later this year.
To allow this vital testing to take place, the inner-city busway tunnel system will temporarily close on weekends, with detours and replacement services in place to keep Brisbane moving.
The tunnel is the biggest and most complex piece of infrastructure being delivered for the Brisbane Metro as it will deliver the missing link between the South East Busway and the Inner Northern busway.
To facilitate the weekend works between 20 June and 25 August:
- The Queen Street, City Hall / King George Square Station and Roma Street busway stations will close from last service Friday night to 5am Monday
- Buses that normally use the inner-city busway tunnel will detour at street level
- Metro services will be operated by bus replacement services
- Some services may arrive or depart up to six minutes earlier or later during works – Journey Planned and the Translink website timetables will be updated
- The Ezymart inside City Hall/King George Square will not open during weekend works
Signage and Council staff will be on the ground during the weekend works to help connect people with their services.
TUNNEL FACTS:
- 225 metres long
- 8-10 metres high
- 16-20 metres wide
- The tunnel roof sits between 3-6 metres below Adelaide Street
- One lane in each direction – each lane is 3.5 metres wide
Quotes attributable to Civic Cabinet Chair for Transport Ryan Murphy:
“This is a huge milestone for Brisbane Metro and a major step towards delivering faster, more reliable public transport for residents and visitors.
“For the first time, buses and metro vehicles will drive through the new tunnel, putting this game-changing infrastructure to the test.
“To make these vital tests happen safely, the inner-city busway tunnel will close on weekends so we’re encouraging passengers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
“By moving more than 1390 services underground every day, we’re easing CBD congestion and freeing up space on city streets.
“These tests are complex and critical as we make sure every system is ready for passengers.
“We thank commuters for their patience during this important phase, with the end result to be a more services, more often for Brisbane’s transport network.”
WEEKEND WORKS:
- Midnight Friday 20 June to 5am Monday 23 June
- Midnight Friday 27 June to 5am Monday 30 June
- Midnight Friday 4 July to 5am Monday 7 July
- Midnight Friday 11 July to 5am Monday 14 July
- Midnight Friday 18 July to 5am Monday 21 July*
- Midnight Friday 25 July to 5am Monday 28 July.
- Midnight Friday 1 August to 4.30am Monday 4 August
- Midnight Friday 8 August to 4.30am Monday 11 August
- Midnight Friday 15 August to 4.30am Monday 18 August
- Midnight Friday 22 August to 4.30am Monday 25 August
*Roma Street busway station will reopen from 4.30pm to midnight on Saturday 19 July to support travel to and from the Wallabies vs British and Irish Lions game at Suncorp Stadium.
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