Tenders are about to be called to rejuvenate Cairns’ CBD interchange linking bus services across the city
June 29, 2011
Tenders to design Cairns’ biggest transport construction project are expected to be called in July, Queensland Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk announced this week.
Palaszczuk says the project will be fast-tracked to rebuild Lake Street Transit Mall, turning it into a world-class transport interchange with a pedestrian and bike friendly centre on Lake Street.
“This project will transform the way people travel across the CBD and we have strong support for it from Council and the community,” Palaszczuk says.
“We announced this major public transport commitment in the budget and we want to be in a position to appoint the winning designer later this year to deliver Cairns the new City Place in 2013.”
The plan includes two new bus stops in Lake Street with a low speed bus-only link across the intersection.
Buses will no longer need to idle at the Lake Street Transit Mall which will be transformed into a pedestrian and cycle-friendly space.
Once the project is complete, buses will move through City Place to link north and south services.
Bus layover facilities will be constructed away from the Cairns’ city centre.
“Redeveloping the heart of the Cairns Transit Network will make it easier to use public transport in Cairns,” Palaszczuk says.
“The project teams’ first task is to develop tender documentation to procure consultants to design the new facility.”
Palaszczuk says consultants will review options for the Lake Street Transit Mall, dedicated bus corridors, bus layover sites and driver facilities.
She says public transport users access employment, the Esplanade, shopping, restaurants and entertainment from the city centre.
“The Cairns community, the Queensland Government and Cairns Regional Council are working together to integrate the Cairns city centre master plan with the first stage of the Cairns Transit Network,” Palaszczuk says.