Legacy Way

Legacy Way
Northern Link Tunnel
Eastern Portal of Legacy Way (westbound)
Overview
LocationToowongKelvin Grove, Brisbane, Queensland
Coordinates27°27′47.89″S 152°59′54.17″E / 27.4633028°S 152.9983806°E / -27.4633028; 152.9983806
StatusComplete
Route M5
Start Western Freeway, Toowong, Brisbane
End Inner City Bypass, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane
Operation
Work begunApril 2011
ConstructedTranscity – $1.5 billion
Opened25 June 2015
OwnerBrisbane City Council
OperatorTransurban
TrafficAutomotive
CharacterMotorway
Toll$6.60 (car) (2024)
Vehicles per day20,000 (2016)[1]
Technical
Length4.6 km (2.9 mi)
No. of lanes4 total in 2 parallel tubes
Operating speed80 km/h (50 mph)

The M5 Legacy Way (formerly Northern Link Tunnel) is a 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi) long tunnel linking the Western Freeway at Toowong and the Inner City Bypass at Kelvin Grove, Brisbane. The project consisted of two bored tunnels carrying two motorway grade lanes of traffic in each direction. It opened on 25 June 2015 and is the fourth of five components of Brisbane City Council's TransApex Project. The tunnels will be tolled for approximately 45 years.[2][3][4]

The Environmental Impact Statement was released for public comment in September 2008 and approved in April 2010. Construction commenced in April 2011 with original plans to open the tunnel to traffic in late 2014. It carries approximately 20,000 vehicles a day[1] and has reduced travel time between the Centenary Bridge and the Inner City Bypass by 71%.[3]

The project was funded through council borrowings, together with a state and federal government contribution.

  1. ^ a b Atfield, Cameron (19 January 2016). "Legacy Way traffic up 4 per cent as new buses announced". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016.
  2. ^ Northern Link Initial Advice Statement, Brisbane City Council, September 2007
  3. ^ a b DCameron Atfield (25 August 2015). "Legacy Way cuts travel time on Milton Road: report". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 26 August 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  4. ^ Tunnelling, Legacy Way, Transcity official website Archived 10 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 24 April 2013)