There will be major changes to bus services in the Brisbane CBD over 10 weekends as part of testing for the new Adelaide Street tunnel, which will allow buses and Metro vehicles to drive through it for the first time later this year.
Brisbane City Council transport chair Ryan Murphy said the inner-city busway tunnel systems would temporarily close on weekends with detours in place, to allow for “complex and critical” testing before the tunnel opens to traffic.
Over 10 weekends, from June 20 to August 25, specialists will activate software systems, test lighting, ventilation and public announcements and test the Adelaide Street tunnel under 70 different scenarios.
The Adelaide Street tunnel under construction.Credit: Brisbane City Council
The council said services would be allowed to run through the Roma street busway from 4.30pm to midnight on Saturday, July 19, to help fans travelling to the Wallabies vs British and Irish Lions game at Suncorp Stadium.
Murphy said when the tunnel opened, it would mean more services more often.
Weekend delays and detours for Brisbane buses from June 20 to August 25.
- 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.
- The Ezymart inside King George Square will not open during weekend works.
“By moving more than 1390 services underground every day, we’re easing CBD congestion and freeing up space on city streets,” he said.
“This is a huge milestone for Brisbane Metro and a major step towards delivering faster, more reliable public transport for residents and visitors.”
The tunnel opening will be the third stage of the council’s staggered Metro rollout – ignoring the stuttering first trials on the M2 route late last year – and follow its bus network overhaul slated for the end of June.
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