Brisbane March 1931, Tunnel Proposed.

 From the Kearney Files, 

Brisbane Courier 19th March 1931.

TUNNEL PROPOSED

Under the Brisbane River.

The construction of a tunnel under the Brisbane River, at or near Kangaroo Point  is a project which will be discussed today by the Premier (Mr. A. E. Moore) and Mr. Elfric Wells Chalmers Kearney, M. I. Struct. E., who has spent over 20 years developing his high speed railway and tube systems, and now is preparing plans for the high speed railways from Sydney to Bondi, and from Manly to Newport.

Interviewed upon his arrival at Brisbane from Sydney yesterday. Mr. Kearney said that he had correspondence with the Queensland Government and the Municipal Council of Brisbane, but he had an open mind so far as the location of the tunnel was concerned. He proposed to address himself to the most economical method of constructing it, either for passenger tube , or for a tube that would accommodate all classes of traffic. He had just completed a scheme for constructing a tunnel under the River Yarra at Williamstown and work would be commenced by his company as soon as the necessary legislation had been passed. As would be the case if a tunnel were to be built in Brisbane, his company would do the work, and would provide the necessary financiers, conditionally on the Government guaranteeing the capital outlay and the payment of interest at a rate of about 5 1/4 or 5 1/2 per cent.

The length of time it would take to complete the work, Mr. Kearney mentioned, naturally would depend upon the sub - structure, but the time would not exceed 18 months. If the Williamstown scheme were adopted, it would be completed in about a year. Under this scheme two small tunnels would be built instead of a large one, and for the purpose of economy only one would be built at first, the other following a convenient time. The advantage of having two one - way tunnels was that the amount of excavation and the thickness of the lining were reduced. The advantage which a tunnel had over a bridge was that in the case of the former the upkeep was practically nil.

Mr. Kearney said he could not indicate what scheme he would advocate for Brisbane until he had made an inspection of the river and discussed the matter with the authorities. Nevertheless he spoke favourably upon the use of shuttle cars for the one - way tunnels, as they improved the air and reduced the necessity for special ventilation plants.

Mr. Kearney's company -- the Kearney High Speed Tube Railway Co., Ltd. -- has had many years experience in different parts of the world in the construction of tunnels.