Greens MP for Maiwar Michael Berkman has labelled plans to duplicate the Walter Taylor Bridge a “waste of taxpayer money” after documents obtained through RTI reveal the proposal wouldn’t improve traffic.
Modelling prepared for Brisbane City Council shows the projected traffic flow for 2041, but does not consider any investment in public and active transport¹.
Council’s own documents show that duplicating the bridge would make traffic worse by creating two new bottlenecks: one in Indooroopilly at Westminster/Lambert Rd and another further south on Oxley Rd and Sherwood Rd.
The documents also show that most drivers who use the bridge are only travelling short distances, including along the now-dormant Tennyson train line from Yeerongpilly to Corinda. This indicates reopening the train line could more effectively reduce traffic than duplicating the bridge.
Michael Berkman:
“Council’s pre-feasibility study alone is costing ratepayers $156,000², all to tell us what we already know: building more roads does not fix congestion.
“Unlike both major parties, this is something that locals already get - most people I speak to think the bridge duplication would be a waste of time and money.
“They don’t want more cars choking the suburbs - what they do want is their train line back!
“The money wasted on duplicating this bridge would be much better spent on better buses and bike lanes in Sherwood, Tennyson, Chelmer and Corinda, a quicker connection between Indooroopilly and UQ, and re-opening the Tennyson train line for commuters.”
¹Chelmer to Indooroopilly Strategic Modelling
²Brisbane City Council Budget 2021-22, p. 31.
Other documents obtained by RTI:
Chelmer to Indooroopilly New River Crossing Pre-Feasibility Study - Scoping Document
Geological Report - Part 1
Geological Report - Part 2
Geological Report - Part 3