As 2020 kicks into gear, the infrastructure makeover of key locations in Brisbane will continue.

We list an update to how all the major projects are travelling including costings and timelines.

New runway for Brisbane airport

In 2017 work began on the $120 million Dryandra Road Underpass, an important step to the process of establishing a new runway for Brisbane airport.

By 2018 work began on completing the 300 hectares of landscaping which covers all areas around the new runway and the taxiways – the equivalent of 269 Suncorp stadium playing fields. 

This included the installation of pre-grown and living turf which is shredded and sprayed by an agricultural spreader on site, helping the grass to quickly stabilise and establish roots.

The Dryandra Road Underpass opened in October 2018, and the first layer of crushed rock was placed on the runway in December, with the 360 hectare site finally starting to resemble a runway. 

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The application of 100,000 tonnes of high strength asphalt - the final layer of the runway's pavement design - was completed on 4 December 2019. All that remains is the line-marking and completion of the lighting. 

The design of the pavement used for Brisbane’s new runway is based on a proven, robust design used at other airports across the world. The project is on track to be opened this year.

Queen's Wharf Brisbane

The $3.6 billion project to develop Queen's Wharf continues with the non-heritage buildings that once occupied the space being demolished and a shoring system installed around the future integrated resort development basement.

Underneath the four integrated resort towers and iconic Sky Deck of the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development, five levels of basement are being constructed to cater for up to 2,000 car parks. It is Queensland's largest construction project.

In 2020 attention will turn to the public realm as construction of the pedestrian bridge, which will integrate the resort development with the South Bank, will commence and works for The Landing will continue.

Maritime work on The Landing has already started in the Brisbane River for construction of the piled suspended concrete slab that will eventually provide 6,500m2 of new public space. 

In October last year Waterline Park, Mangrove Walk, and the first section of the Bicentennial Bikeway to be upgraded – were unveiled at a free community breakfast open day, following a makeover of the 500 metre stretch of land underneath the Riverside Expressway. This section is the first to open as part of the Queen's Wharf project.

The project is schedule for completion in 2022.

Construction has also begun on The Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood, Grand and Dorsett hotels as part of Queen’s Wharf Brisbane

The Cross River Tunnel

The $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project unlocks this current network bottleneck of a single river crossing and just four inner-city stations, by delivering a second river crossing, allowing more trains to run more often and enabling a turn-up-and-go public transport system across the entire region.

In 2020 demolition of the Brisbane Transit Centre will mark the beginning of the transformation of Roma Street to become Queensland's most significant transport interchange.

Cross River Rail is now well into the delivery phase and this means the Brisbane Transit Centre has to go to make way for the new underground station.

The demolition itself is a massive job needing an 85-metre tower crane above the ground to bring down three buildings.

The first to go will be Hotel Jen, then the East Tower, followed by the West Tower and finally the podium they sit on.

Demolition of the three buildings will take almost a full year in total.

This follows the demolition of the nine story Landcentre building and old South Brisbane Dental Hospital at Woolloongabba.

Market sounding will also kick off early in 2020 with a new Brisbane Live entertainment arena, that will trigger even stronger investment appetite in the new Roma Street precinct.

In September, the Brisbane Coach Terminal formerly housed inside the Transit Centre was closed and the new Coach Terminal facility was officially opened.

In addition to a significant revitalisation of the Roma Street area, Cross River Rail’s Precinct Development Strategy will also deliver a new Exhibition station at the RNA Showgrounds, providing year-round rail services for both the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and the growing RNA Showground Lifestyle precinct.

Howard Smith wharves ferry terminal

The Howard Smith Wharves ferry terminal will further enhance the ferry network and provide new access opportunities for residents and visitors to Howard Smith Wharves.

It will also provide connectivity to the New Farm Riverwalk and surrounding suburbs such as Fortitude Valley and Kangaroo Point via the Story Bridge.

Council undertook river-based geotechnical investigations at the proposed ferry terminal location in April 2019.

Council lodged the development application for the project on Friday 13 December 2019, with construction anticipated to commence in late 2020.

Other projects for the Brisbane CBD include:

• Eagle Street Pier Development
• Victoria Park
• Riverwalk and marina at Botanic Gardens
• Brisbane Quarter
• South Bank ferry terminal

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