From the Kearney Files
Brisbane Daily Mail 24th March 1930
BRIDGE O TUNNEL?
Single Tube, £400,000
Scheme sent to Committee.
The Brisbane City Council adopted the report of its General Purposes Committee which had resolved to inform the Premier that it was not averse to the building of a central toll bridge by private enterprise, provided certain safeguards were included.
The Lord Mayor (Alderman A. Watson) announced the receipt of a proposal to construct a tunnel from Commercial Road Bulimba, to Barton Road, Bulimba. For a single tube the cost would be £400,00, and for a complete two - way traffic route, £700,000. The proposal was referred to the Works Committee.
In submitting the adoption of the General Purposes Committee's report, intimating the council's willingness to consider proposals for building a central toll bridge, the Lord Mayor announced the receipt of a scheme from Mr. Kearney, for the construction of a tube beneath the river at Bulimba. The proposed tube, it was explained, would run from the corner of Commercial Road and Helen Street, Bulimba, in a direct line to a point between Barton Road and Carr Street, at the commencement of Macdonnell Road. The total length of the route was about, 1,400 yards, about 1,00 yards of which would be in the tunnel. A single tube only could be built in the first instance, and be worked by signal as an alternate one way traffic route. This would cost, with two - way open approaches, £400,000.
A second tube, making the scheme a complete two - way route. Could be added for £300,000 bringing the total cost to £700,000. Ventilation would be achieved by the total renewal of air every few minutes by the passage of a closely fitted rail car, which would also carry foot passengers quickly and comfortably through the tube. This system of ventilation, it was claimed, would be far more efficient and thorough than the use of air ducts.
TOLL AT RATE OF FERRY FARE.
Elfric's company undertook to find the whole of the necessary finance at not a more than 6 per cent interest, and was prepared to construct the complete scheme for the price quoted, which was approximately one - third of the cost of the tunnel suggested by the Cross River Commission for single two - way tunnel.
It was proposed to defray the cost of the tube by the application of the same tolls as we're now paid on the Bulimba ferry and 1d for each passenger.
The Premier had signified his approval of the scheme in general terms, and it was believed that the Government would be prepared to carry out the work if it were initiated by the Council.
The construction of the tube, it was claimed, would bring about an important development on the other side of the river at a far smaller cost than had hitherto been considered possible, and at less than half of the proposed bridge at Kangaroo Point, the necessity for which would probably not arise in the present generation if the tube scheme were proceeded with. The plans for the tube were in course of preparation and would be ready in a few days.
Alderman W. R. Warmington asked if the scheme was not another one to levy tolls. Actually it was a subway under the still system.
Alderman R. W. H. Long : Refer it to the Civic Reform League.
POSTPONE BUILDING THE BRIDGE.
Alderman Warmington said it seemed that the Premier was willing to sponsor any scheme put before him at the present time. A subway to Bulimba had been in the air for a considerable time. The Council should not entertain the proposal.
Alderman F. W. Bradbury asked if the council were asked to express before Mr. Kearney returned to England.
The lord Mayor: If you want this, it will postpone the building of the bridge for the present.
Alderman Bradbury : Is this suggested as an alternative to the bridge?
The Lord Mayor: If you want this, it will postpone the building of the bridgefor the present.
Alderman A. Oxlade: The it must get the axe.
Alderman C. W. Campbell (Chairman of the Works Committee) said that in view of the earlier motion intimating it's preparedness to consider a scheme for a toll bridge to Kangaroo Point, the council could hardly deal with a tunnel at the same time. It should at least wait a while, to give persons an opportunity to submit a proposal for building a bridge if they do desired. The tunnel would certainly cost less than the proposed bridge, which was estimated to represent an expenditure of between £1,500,000 and £2,000,000. He did not see that the Council could give Mr. Kearney any encouragement until it saw if a scheme for building a bridge was forthcoming. The whole thing needed careful inquiry by experts.
BRIDGE AND SHIPPING
Alderman R. W. H. Long expressed the view that it was not possible without interfering with shipping. He thought a tunnel would be preferable to a bridge. It would suit the people far better, and it would be far less costly.
Alderman T. Prentice said that a tunnel under the river would be better than a bridge, inasmuch as it would not interfere with shipping. A tunnel from Edward Street to Woollcongabba Park had been suggested. A tunnel at Bulimba would suit requirements there, in view of the proximity of the abattoirs. At the same time the council was to a certain extent committed to a bridge at Kangaroo Point if Dorman Long, and co., submitted a proposal on the conditions laid down.
The committee's report regarding the bridge was adopted, and the proposal for a tunnel was sent on to the Works Committee, Alderman J. P. Keogh dissenting.
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