oma Street's busway interchange has been identified as a hub for Brisbane's updated transport network following a $250 million investment by the state government.

Announced on Friday, the station will be dug underground to incorporate 650 metres of the Inner Northern Busway in a project to be delivered by the Cross River Rail team.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the changes were designed to make it easier for commuters to change bus or trains at the location, while also allowing for better integration of bus services with the new underground train station.

“We know the government’s $5.4 billion Cross River Rail will unlock much-needed extra capacity for the entire South East Queensland rail network and generate 7,700 jobs,” she said. 

“Value-adding a new, $250 million high-capacity underground interchange for the Inner Northern Busway to the Cross River Rail Project will support 480 jobs and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the Roma Street Station precinct.

“The integrated Roma Street underground busway interchange will be part of a new turn-up-and-go transport network for the South East, made possible by the Palaszczuk Government’s investment in Cross River Rail.” 

The Cross River Rail project will also update the wider Roma Street precinct, with opportunities to replace the tired Brisbane Transit Centre with new public spaces, entertainment destinations, retail premises and commercial buildings.

Member for McConnel Grace Grace said the new street frontage station plaza would be built on top of the busway interchange with underground train and bus and plaza levels linked by lifts and escalators for easy passenger access.

“The existing above-ground Inner Northern Busway interchange at Roma Street will be demolished to make way for the new underground terminal,” Ms Grace said.

“Removing the current above-ground interchange has the potential to create exciting opportunities for the Roma Street precinct including new community space.

“Cross River Rail and the plans for the Roma Street Station precinct will deliver unprecedented convenience for our community.”      

The $250 million underground busway interchange at Roma Street will be funded separately by Transport and Main Roads.

Cross River Rail early works are already underway in Woolloongabba with contractors expected to start on Roma Street Station’s underground busway interchange by late-2019.

Click here to view the Cross River Rail website with further information.

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