Transurban has announced that an in-principle agreement has been reached with Brisbane City Council to deliver the $60 million Inner City Bypass (ICB) upgrade.
Under the agreement, Transurban Queensland will finance and project manage the delivery of the design and construction phases, and provide operations, routine maintenance and incident response services once the upgrade is completed.
The ICB is adjacent to Transurban’s Legacy Way, Clem7, Go Between Bridge and AirportlinkM7 assets, allowing Transurban to deliver a high standard of operations throughout the corridor to improve traffic flows.
The upgrade includes widening the ICB westbound to four lanes between the RNA tunnel and Legacy Way portal and widening eastbound to four lanes between Legacy Way and the Herston Road exit.
It also involves construction of a new westbound ramp to the ICB from Bowen Bridge Road, provision of operations and incident response for the length of the Legacy Way concession and provision of routine maintenance services on a 10 + 10 year contract (at option of council).
Subject to final agreement, Transurban Queensland will fund the upgrade works through toll increases on Legacy Way, Go Between Bridge and Clem7, specifically:
– an increase of heavy vehicle (Class 4) tolls from 2.65 times cars (Class 2) to 3 times – to take effect from 1 July 2018 for Clem7 and Go Between Bridge and 1 July 2020 for Legacy Way
– a 7.76% increase to Legacy Way toll prices for motorcycles, passenger vehicles and light
– commercial vehicles (Classes 1, 2 and 3 respectively) on 1 July 2020, approximately two years after the benefit of the ICB upgrade has been delivered to Brisbane motorists
Transurban CEO Scott Charlton said that the company is pleased to partner with the Brisbane City Council for the delivery, operation and maintenance of the ICB upgrade.
“The ICB is a key transport corridor in Brisbane. This project will help to relieve congestion, reduce travel times and enhance connectivity with major inner-city roads on the network,” Mr Charlton said.
BMD Contractors have been awarded the construction contract. Transurban Queensland expects to reach contractual and financial close, subject to standard Council approval processes in March 2017. Construction is expected to be completed in mid-2018.