^^Why so many plans and investigations for improved PT and transport corridors to that area. They just had not too long ago a thorough investigation that led to the 444 being funded to the Moggill sports field. There were also calls for a bridge and PT connections to Darra…
State government and local member want to be seen to be “doing something”.
The state government axed the Moggill Road protected bikeway project (which went through community consultation and was funded for construction of the first stage under the previous government). Community feedback for this ‘integrated transport plan’ will be used as justification for more funding for roads, with half-hearted effort to improve PT and likely nothing for active transport.
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The western suburbs had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with the Moggill to Riverview/Riverhills green bridge, but they completely blew it.
Imagine living just across from Riverhills, a 15 minute cycle to Darra station & the Western Freeway bikeway, only to have that prospect washed away, because a loud minority got in the way.
My only positive remarks about their current PT situation is that there’s now an e-ink bus stop at Bellbowrie Plaza, relaying when the 443/444 are due to arrive.
And that Cr Adermann (Pullenvale Ward) has been successful in the planning stages for a bus shelter at Montanus Dr. When completed, this would mean that every inbound stop in Moggill/Bellbs will have a bus shelter.
Locals have been pushing Cr Adermann for more 443 services in the morning and in the afternoons (before 5pm), but I doubt anything of substance will come from it. Especially considering they’ve been on about it since pre-2020, and still no action.
The 444 isn’t great either – gets stuck in traffic, is full by Kenmore park n’ ride (Misty Morn), but the fact that its a BUZ is its only redeeming quality.
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Would having dedicated bus lanes be a solution?
My road observation is I totalled my car the other day and now it’s a write off.
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I definitely think bus lanes along Moggil Rd would help with the constant congestion, and would speed up all the buses that use that route
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Should add here, it’s a reminder of how dangerous cars really are and the dangers that both drivers behind the wheel as well as pedestrians and cyclists face every day. Good thing it didn’t happen near any pedestrians, cyclists or many other vehicles and most importantly no one was hurt.
You may know about the proposed ring road (it’s already under construction) that will allow the Bruce Highway bypass Rockhampton to the west.
Though I support this project, I also think we should be calling on the Queensland Government to also divert the North Coast line along this corridor. Although this would mean a new station for Rockhampton would have to be built outside of the city, my reasoning is safety. Currently trains have to go through Denison street (which is good for trainspotting btw). This interaction between trains, cars and even pedestrians is extremely dangerous.
I did come across past proposals for this but haven’t heard of anything since so I assume it was quietly dumped from the plans for a little bit of cost savings.
Below is the current artist impression of the new ring road.
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I would recommend any new Rockhampton station built for this alignment should be built to the south of the town, so they don’t have to turn around the spirit of the outback like they currently do.
who told you trucks don’t use the inner-west??? don’t be sorry, just think harder about it!
Not sorry at all. Trucks don’t use the inner west in the numbers they do on the main freight routes, and larger consists don’t at all. Here is the B-double network for Brisbane taken from maps.nhvr.gov.au:
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I don’t mind Spirit Of the Outback having to shunt back out of the bay platform at Rockhampton; it’s not a speed service after all.
But I agree it isn’t exactly optimal to be running heavy freight trains down the middle of Denison St.
That being said, I can’t really get on board with the idea of moving Rockhampton Station. It’s well situated to serve the actual city, and Spirit of QLD only 2 times a day (and not even every day of the week) isn’t that intrusive on Denison St. Any station to serve a new alignment would end up being quite far out, perhaps even in or near Gracemere rather than Rocky itself.
The existing station is in planning for a significant facelift too (but it’s been sometime since I’ve heard any updates on the regional station refurbs).
sorry your not sorry, about being sorry….but in any case, I suggest you do more research and let us all know!
Not sure what you mean by all this and why the hostility, but I did do the research above of showing that Brisbane has defined heavy vehicle routes that do not include the western suburbs. Not that no truck every goes there, but it is not a major through route for freight and I think it would be good for it to stay that way.
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That map is a real eye opener. Trucks dont use tunnels. Be great to fill the missing link but the cost would be enormous. Better off maintaining current routes and upgrading when required.
Bearing in mind that that map is for B-double trucks. Regular semi-trailers can go most places, but that map shows you where heavy freight is intended to go.
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Trucks can use tunnels, provided they’re not carrying DGs—rigid trucks and standard single-trailer semis. I don’t believe B-doubles are permitted, and I’m unsure about truck & dog combinations (i.e., a rigid truck hauling a trailer of > 8 T GVM).
I suppose we could take a donation to budget for putting something there…
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Anti-trucking/road-tunnel types are dangerous, industry, tradies need road access for the tens of billions they contribute to the economy. We need to maximise their productivity. As I’ve said many times, one of the real strong selling points of the inevitable Inner-Western-Bypass-Tunnel will be the potential to put heavy rail capacity in…giving exiciting future public transit options!
Public transit and rail is key, but there are times you can have your cake and eat it and the inevitable Inner-Western-Road-Tunnel is one such case!
Just saying it’s inevitable doesn’t make it so. The cost of this would be many many billions, and for what? So through freight services save ten minutes? Or to enable thousands of heavy trucks to spill out on to quiet suburban roads?
It’s just so unnecessary for last mile freight delivery. Tokyo has more people than all of Australia and runs almost entirely on these:
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