Entry and exit ramps for Chermside have been ruled out for the Queensland government’s proposed Gympie Road bypass tunnel.
Transport Minister Bart Mellish said allowing motorists to take shorter trips in the tunnel would cause more disruption above ground and add to the cost of the project.
The Suburban Futures lobby group has repeatedly called for a tunnel portal at Chermside to allow the local hub to reach its potential as a mini CBD.
Transport Minister Bart Mellish (left) has ruled out a tunnel entry and exit at Chermside in the proposed Gympie Road bypass tunnel. He is pictured with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, who supports a state-funded tunnel.Credit: Annette Dew
“We have always argued this more than just a tunnel for traffic,” spokesman Ross Elliott said.
“This needs to be about suburban renewal on the surface. Without the portal, the great opportunity for Chermside is missed.”
Mellish said investigations had shown the property resumption costs involved with a Chermside portal, as well as the disruption to the existing road network and the green space in Marchant Park, would be excessive.
“The argument for a ‘mid-point portal’ as part of the Gympie Road bypass tunnel simply does not stack up,” Mellish said.
“There would be significant impacts on green space, properties and the local road network.”
A publicly released summary of the tunnel investment proposal provided to the government showed the portal would incur “substantial additional tunnelling and above-ground costs”.