$50 million invested by federal government to expand Brisbane Metro

The federal government has announced that an extra $50 million has been allocated to the expansion of the Brisbane Metro to the city’s northern suburbs.

The move forms part of a $200 million investment in transport projects across Brisbane that aim to “revitalise” the city and reshape the way locals travel.

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This newest investment builds on $51.5 million of additional funding recently committed to Brisbane Metro to ensure the project’s delivery, taking the Australian government’s total contribution to the transformative public transport project to over $400 million.

“Better roads and better transport are critical to keeping Brisbane moving and we need all three levels of government working together to achieve this,” Brisbane mayor Adrian Schrinner says.

“With the Australian Government’s support, we can now progress a rapid business case to progress the expansion of Brisbane Metro to Carseldine, Capalaba, Springwood and out to the airport.

“This funding will also help us progress a business case to ensure the Story Bridge continues to play a critical role in the national transport network for another 100 years.”

The QLD government will also contribute to the development of business cases to improve important transport links and enhance infrastructure across the city.

This includes $2.25 million to investigate the cost and scope of works required for the restoration and future maintenance of the iconic Story Bridge and $1 million to deliver an updated business case for the construction of a new active travel bridge from Toowong to West End.

“With Brisbane continuing to grow at a rapid pace, it’s important we invest in projects that improve connectivity and build safe and active transport options for our residents – and that what this funding does,” senator Murray Watt says.

“Whether you’re jumping on the new metro, cycling out west or crossing the most quintessential of Brisbane of landmarks, the Story Bridge, the Albanese Government is contributing strongly to keeping this city moving.”

More investments were also made recently to the Moggill Road Corridor Upgrade project, replacing the Indooroopilly roundabout with an overpass over Moggill Road, upgrading key intersections and providing new on-road cycling facilities and footpaths.

Committing $78.5 million towards cost pressures, this new investment takes the government’s total contribution to this project to $128.5 million.

Brisbane City Council will also receive $5 million towards a $12 million project to construct the Sylvan Road Bikeway under the Albanese Government’s $100 million Active Transport Fund. This will complete the link between the Western Freeway Bikeway and the Bicentennial Bikeway – providing 20 kilometres of continuous dedicated cycling path between Brisbane’s west and the CBD.

The state government is also contributing a further $20 million for the Brisbane Valley Highway Safety Upgrades project, for a total commitment of $40 million. This project will improve road safety and reduce road injuries and fatalities along this important highway.

“The Brisbane Valley Highway is a busy highway with a significant number of vehicles using it to travel in and out of Ipswich every day, and I have been strongly advocating for action to address safety concerns,” federal member for Blair Shayne Neumann says.

“This additional funding boost to what we have already delivered in our community will greatly improve safety and connectivity along what is the main artery between the Somerset region and South East Queensland.”