Is the Clem Jones Tunnel Worth It

Is the Clem Jones Tunnel Worth It

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Posted 2014-12-07 by Retired Writerfollow
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The Clem Jones tunnel was Brisbane's first privately financed internal city toll road and one of Queensland's largest infrastructure projects.

But, apart from that it avoids 24 sets of traffic lights and that it went bankrupt in late 2013, little is known about this prominent tunnel.

How much time does it save? Is it worthwhile? And who the hec was Clem Jones? I did some investigating, and here's what I found…
Background

The longest road tunnel in Australia, the Clem Jones Tunnel project commenced in 2006 and was completed in 2009. The tunnel uses an electronic toll system and safety measures like a traffic control centre and speed cameras.

The aluminium and steel sculptures adorning the entrances act as light filters, and were designed by architect John Ilett (Gateway Motorway Upgrade, RNA Showgrounds redevelopment) to create an aura of fainted light that would gleam through the tunnel.

The tunnel's red and purple colours were inspired by the native Poinciana and Jacaranda trees that can be found all around Brisbane and Queensland. Urban enhancement was the tunnel designers' priority.



The Pitch

The Clem Jones Tunnel, commonly the Clem7, boasts to be the fastest and the safest way to cross Brisbane. The project was 6.8 kilometres in length from end to end, including two 4.8 kilometre tunnels linking the Southeast Freeway and Ipswich Road in Woolloongabba; the Inner City Bypass and Lutwyche Road in Bowen Hills and Shafston Avenue in Kangaroo Point.

This tunnel aims to reduce traffic problems in inner city Brisbane and improve Brisbane's outer suburban road network.
Design, Benefits and Costs

Fitted with 100 jet fans and 165 emergency phones, the Clem7 also has a smoke reducing rooftop that draws fumes out easily, incase of an explosion. The tunnel avoids 24 sets of traffic lights, which saves users up to 30 per cent of travel time on a cross-city trip, particularly during peak-hour travel times.

Some of Brisbane's major destinations are easily accessible via this tunnel, like the Brisbane Airport, major shopping centres, The Royal Brisbane Hospital, and the RNA Showgrounds. For non-users, the Clem7 boast to have removed significant traffic from existing city roads, which, apparently, has in turn improved air quality in the city.

From 1 July 2014, new tolls and fees for motorists travelling on the Gateway and Logan motorways, Go Between Bridge and CLEM7 Tunnel were introduced. This is because Queensland Motorways adjusts its tolls, fees and charges annually in line with the Brisbane Consumer Price Index (BCPI). This year BCPI was 3.1 per cent.

Prices are now: Motorcycles $2.39, Cars $4.78, Light Commercial $7.18, and Heavy Vehicles $12.67.
About Clem Jones

Clem Jones AO (1918 - 2007) was Brisbane's longest serving Lord Mayor, representing the Australian Labor Party from 1961 to 1975.

A surveyor by profession, Mr Jones recognised the need to improve Brisbane City, which, in the 1960's, had unpaved streets, no town planning, a limited water supply and few areas with sewers —instead relying on septic tanks or outhouses. Following his 1961 election, Mr Jones led the Council to fix most of these problems. Under his stewardship, the City Council also purchased inner-city properties to build underground car parks that were topped with parks and public gardens.

After his Mayorship, Mr Jones was briefly curator at the Brisbane Cricket Ground (The Gabba), before being appointed Chairman of the Darwin Reconstruction Commission in 1975 to lead the rebuilding of Darwin after the city's near destruction by Cyclone Tracy.

His wife, Sylvia, died in 1999. Her suffering allegedly prompted Mr Jones to leave $5 million in his will to fund a campaign for the legalisation of euthanasia.

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166732 - 2023-06-15 03:34:38

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