Work is ramping up on the Brisbane Metro, with a construction tender for a new depot for its fleet of electric vehicles to be released mid-2020.
This is a major milestone for the $944 million Metro project, which is estimated to create 165 jobs in construction and more than 185 when opened.
Brisbane Metro will provide services every three minutes in peak periods, reducing travel times by up to half, busting congestion and improving the greater public transport network.
Works on the Rochedale site would include the removal and relocation of a number of buildings. Construction is underway and this work will continue throughout 2020.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Alan Tudge, said the Metro project would “revolutionise the way Brisbane people travel by doing away with the need for timetables”.
Trials to begin soon on electric fleet
A tender was announced in November 2019 for a fleet of fully-electric Metro vehicles.
The preferred tenderer involved Brisbane-based suppliers Volgren and world-leading electric-vehicle producer HESS to deliver 60 vehicles for the Brisbane Metro.
The initial pilot vehicle will be housed at Volgren’s Eagle Farm workshop to allow for trials and testing to start in local operating conditions.
The project is expected to drive jobs and economic growth, with an extra 40 jobs created in Brisbane for fit-out and maintenance of the Metro vehicles when they are delivered.
Flash charging technology at each end of the route will recharge the vehicles in just six minutes, meaning passengers will get home safer and quicker in a Metro vehicle with no tailpipe emissions.
The first Metro vehicle will arrive in 2020 for trials and testing.
Tender to be released for depot operation
The depot design is now being finalised to include charging infrastructure for these electric vehicles.
The depot will be the base for an initial fleet of 60 new electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, maintenance and staff facilities. There is also capacity for future growth at the School Road location as the Brisbane Metro system expands.
Council is finalising the procurement process for the design and construction of the Brisbane Metro depot. The Request for Tender is expected to be released in mid 2020 and awarded by mid to late 2020.
Council is delivering the $944 million fully-funded Brisbane Metro in partnership with the Federal Government.
The major infrastructure development is expected to take two years to build, in time for the delivery of the full Metro vehicle fleet.
Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said Brisbane commuters were excited to see the Brisbane Metro up and running soon.
“This project is expected to provide significant benefits right across the Brisbane CBD and Brisbane’s southern suburbs,” Mr Vasta said.
Infrastructure upgrades continue
Intersection upgrades at the corner of Peel and Merivale Street and Peel Street and Cordelia Street, in South Brisbane and Skew Street and Upper Roma Street in the CBD have already been completed as part of the Brisbane Metro project.
Preliminary works for Brisbane Metro will commence around the Cultural Centre in early 2020.
Stage 1 of Brisbane Metro will provide a 21km service connecting 18 stations along dedicated busways between Eight Mile Plains and Roma Street, and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and University of Queensland.
Stage 2 may see services expanded to Carindale in the South East and to Chermside and the Airport in the North.
The Federal Government has committed $300 million to the project.
