Thiess John Holland Services, a joint venture between Thiess Services and John Holland Services, will operate and maintain the toll road on completion.  

When will the projects be complete?
Airport Link and Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) are scheduled for completion in mid 2012, with Airport Roundabout Upgrade (ARU) completed earlier in late 2011. ARU must be completed prior to free-flow tolling commencing on Airport Link.

Are the projects on schedule?
Both the design and construction elements of the Airport Link and Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) projects are operating to schedule. Airport Roundabout Upgrade commenced four months ahead of schedule in April.

How is the State Government overseeing the project?
Under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) BrisConnections will finance, design, construct, commission, operate and maintain Airport Link for a period of 45 years.

BrisConnections will also deliver the Windsor to Kedron section of the State-funded Northern Busway and the Airport Roundabout Upgrade, before handing it back to the State to operate and maintain.

A Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a contractual arrangement between Government and the private sector which harnesses the skills and capability of the private sector in designing, constructing, operating, maintaining and financing major infrastructure projects.

 
I’ve heard a lot about BrisConnections in the news, and issues with shareholders, what impact will this have on the project? 
None. The Queensland Government has been assured that BrisConnections will meet its obligations to design and construct Airport Link, Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) and the Airport Roundabout Upgrade.

Airport Link

What is Airport Link and where does it go?
Airport Link will be the first major motorway linking Brisbane city to the northern suburbs and airport precinct, avoiding up to 18 sets of lights.

Airport Link is a 6.7km free-flow toll road, mainly underground, connecting the Clem 7 Tunnel, Inner City Bypass and local road network at Bowen Hills, to the northern arterials of Gympie Road and Stafford Road at Kedron, Sandgate Road and the East West Arterial leading to the airport.

Entry and exit points for the Airport Link tunnel will be located at:

Toombul - East West Arterial and Sandgate Roads
Kedron - Gympie and Stafford Roads
Bowen Hills – Bowen Bridge Road, Inner City Bypass, Clem 7, Campbell Street

How much will the tolls be?
BrisConnections has set the tolls at 2006 dollar prices and they will be indexed in line with Brisbane CPI.  The tolls for cars per trip, applicable in 2006 dollars, are:
 
• Tollable Section 1 (any journey between Bowen Hills and Kedron) - $4.00
• Tollable Section 2 (any journey between Bowen Hills and Toombul) - $4.00
• Tollable Section 3 (any journey between Kedron and Toombul) - $3.00

The maximum car toll payable is $4.00 in 2006 dollars. Different tolls apply for light and heavy commercial vehicles.

If I already have an e-tag will I be able to use it for Airport Link?
Yes. Electronic free-flow tolling will be introduced for all Queensland toll roads and Airport Link tags will be fully interoperable with other Australian toll roads.

 
Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron)

The Windsor to Kedron section of the Northern Busway will be constructed together with Airport Link. The Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) will connect with the existing Inner Northern Busway at the Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Herston to Kedron via the Lutwyche Road/Gympie Road corridor.

(See maps)

Where will the busway be underground?
The busway will be underground between Truro Street, Windsor and Sadlier Street, Kedron, surfacing at the two new, architecturally designed busway stations located at Lutwyche and Kedron.

Once complete will buses still be able to use the surface roads or will they only use the Northern Busway tunnel?
Yes buses will still be able to travel along the surface roads. For fast, frequent bus services connecting the city and northern suburbs, buses will use the Northern Busway between Windsor and Kedron. More details on bus services and stops will be provided by TransLink closer to the opening of the new busway at www.translink.com.au/northernbusway

Can buses use the Airport Link tunnel?
No. The Airport Link toll road will be for motorists only. Buses will use the Northern Busway tunnel.

What is the concrete structure in the front of the Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital?
This is the Northern Busway stage one (RBWH Busway Station).  Thiess John Holland is currently constructing stage two of the Northern Busway, connecting the RBWH at Windsor and extend to Kedron via the Lutwyche Road and Gympie Road corridor.

If you would like information furthern information on the Northern Busway (stage one) which is now open, visit www.translink.com.au/northernbusway.

Traffic

How will traffic be managed during construction?
Thiess John Holland is working with the Brisbane Metropolitan Transport Management Centre, the Department of Main Roads, TransLink and Brisbane City Council to ensure traffic management is coordinated throughout construction of these critical projects.

Thiess John Holland will conduct regular traffic analysis and time travel surveys to ensure traffic flow and capacity is maintained.

 To facilitate construction of the projects, changes to the existing traffic conditions will be necessary to ensure traffic flow is maintained.

How will I know about changed traffic conditions?
Road users will receive advance notification of changed traffic conditions via electronic message signs, traffic alerts, local letterbox drops, the project website www.brisconnections.com.au or by contacting the 24 hour Community Hotline 1800 721 783. Major traffic changes will be advertised in local newspapers or The Courier Mail.

You can also sign up to receive SMS project traffic alerts via the project website www.brisconnections.com.au.

Who decides and approves changes to the traffic network during construction?

Temporary changes to the road network and traffic movements will be required throughout the projects’ construction and will be submitted to Brisbane City Council and the Department of Main Roads for review and approval prior to implementation.

Are increased traffic movements on local roads expected during construction?
Planning for construction and traffic management is designed to minimise impacts to traffic flow. Detailed traffic management plans will ensure there are minimal impacts on traffic during construction.

On completion of the project, can residents expect increased vehicle movements on local roads?
Based on the findings of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement, increased vehicle movements on local roads are not anticipated as a direct result of Airport Link.

The free-flow toll road will make the journey to and from the city safer, less congested and faster with less stopping and starting, thus improving the living environment in adjacent suburbs.

Construction

How is the project managing noise and dust during construction?
All construction sites generate dust and noise. However environmental performance for the project is monitored constantly, particularly dust, noise and vibration. Strategies implemented to reduce these impacts on-site and in neighbouring areas include:

• Covering stockpiles and soil embankments with appropriate dust suppression measures
• Spraying construction sites and haulage routes with recycled water
• Sweeping nearby streets using a street sweeper
• Using temporary noise barriers including fencing and shipping containers
• Use of acoustic sheds
• Wheel wash downs and rumble grids prior to exiting site for haulage trucks or general construction traffic
• Consistent environment monitoring
• Where possible early land stabilisation or landscaping
• Covering of truck loads 
• Organic chemical dust mitigation sprays
• Limiting cleared areas.

What is the project doing about mitigation for properties impacted by construction?
Despite all efforts to minimise construction impacts through design and the measures above, there may be some situations where certain individuals are exposed to high levels of ongoing disruption.

Any properties identified as being in this situation will be investigated on an individual basis to ensure the project meets the reasonable needs of the resident.

Depending on the situation with the property, monitoring will be undertaken to establish whether the noise, dust and vibration goals, as set by the coordinator general, are being exceeded. the project may offer mitigation measures that are reasonable and practical to mitigate impacts from construction.

Tunnelling

How are the tunnels being constructed?
A combination of tunnelling techniques are being used to construct the Airport Link and Northern Busway tunnels:

Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) – two TBMs will be launched from the Toombul precinct and head west towards Lutwyche to construct a circular tunnel profile which will accommodate a two- lane road tunnel. 

> More information about TBM tunnelling

Roadheader Machines – eleven Roadheaders will be used to excavate the varied tunnel shapes needed for ramps, merging areas, egress passages and breakdown lanes.

Cut and cover – this construction technique will be used for works closer to the surface. Cut and cover tunnels are formed by excavating a trench from the surface, constructing a tunnel within it, then backfilling the trench. Surface works including the construction of roads can then be carried out above the tunnel.

The tunnelling techniques chosen will deliver the projects ahead of the Government’s original schedule, and with less impact on traffic, the community and the environment. Extensive tunnelling by roadheader and TBM reduces the amount of cut and cover surface works undertaken by the project. 

 Will I hear any noise from tunnelling?
Tunnelling activities will at times, under particular conditions, generate some regenerated noise. Regenerated noise occurs when vibration from tunnelling activities travels through the ground, into the foundation of the building and vibrates the flat surfaces, creating an audible noise.

 The target goal for regenerated noise during tunnelling is 45 decibels, which is similar to the noise generated from a quiet office.

> More information about tunnelling and what to expect


Will I feel any vibration from tunnelling near my house?
Vibrations are commonly experienced during construction. However the levels vary according to the depth of tunnelling and the surrounding environment. As a standard measure, the project will continue to conduct condition surveys where required, on directly affected properties along the project alignment.


Will noise and vibration be monitored?
Extensive noise and vibration modelling has been conducted along the tunnel alignment to predict likely noise and vibration impacts. During tunnelling, noise and vibration monitoring will be undertaken to ensure noise and vibration is in line with anticipated levels.

These results will be published each month on the Environment section of this website

 What happens to spoil after excavation?
As much excavated material as possible will be re-used as backfill in the construction of the cut and cover tunnels, retaining walls and other earth works structures for Airport Link. Spoil that is not re-used will be transported via haulage truck or a conveyor system to designated fill sites across South-East Queensland, which have been identified for future commercial development.

When will spoil trucks operate? 
 In accordance with the State Government’s spoil management and transport conditions, trucks will operate 24 hours per day, six days per week between 6.30am Mondays and 6.30pm Saturdays. 

Residents will be advised prior to the commencement of 24 hour spoil haulage operations.Spoil haulage trucks will use the most direct route to arterial roads from each construction site which will involve the use of some local roads.

Spoil haulage trucks will be clearly identifiable with the Airport Link project to assist the project with the management of trucks.

Air quality

Where will the ventilation outlets for the tunnels be located?
There are three ventilation station outlets (VSO’s) located across the project alignment:

Bowen Hills – the ventilation station is below ground near Mann Park, allowing for provision of a landbridge and enhanced pedestrian connectivity. 

Kedron – the ventilation station is above ground and located behind the Emergency Services complex.

Toombul – the ventilation station is below ground, allowing for provision of a new pathway and parkland connection for the community. The ventilation outlet will feature subdued night lighting, and is positioned with the slim side facing residents in a way that reduces shadowing during the day.
 

How is air quality managed during construction?
Air quality will be monitored constantly during construction with results published monthly on the Environment page of this website. 

Mitigation methods such as the following are undertaken at all sites during construction to reduce dust impacts on the surrounding community:

• Spraying construction sites and haulage routes with recycled water
• Sweeping nearby streets using a street sweeper
• Wheel wash downs and rumble grids prior to exiting site for haulage trucks or general construction traffic
• Covering of truck loads
• Spoil sheds for loading/unloading excavated materials

Project design