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Adelaide Street tunnel opens on 29 September 2025 to link Brisbane busways
Brisbane Metro upgrades now connect the Inner Northern Busway and South East Busway through the CBD while finishing works continue at several stations.
How we reported this
The Adelaide Street tunnel opened to bus and metro operations on 29 September 2025, creating a dedicated link between the Inner Northern Busway and South East Busway in central Brisbane.
Brisbane faces ongoing pressure from population growth ahead of the 2032 Olympics, making dedicated public transport corridors essential for keeping the city moving. The new tunnel directly targets congestion bottlenecks in the CBD, where buses and metros previously shared limited road space with general traffic.
Brisbane City Council partnered with Brisbane Move, led by construction firm ACCIONA and design firm Arup, to deliver the upgrades. The work revitalised Adelaide Street between North Quay and Edward Street with improved footpaths, new bus stops, street furniture and feature lighting. City Hall / King George Square station received platform screen doors and a direct connection to the tunnel. Cultural Centre station gained an extra platform for services to West End and Highgate Hill. Victoria Bridge now carries three lanes reserved for metros and buses alongside a bi-directional cycle path and wider pedestrian areas. Buranda busway station was extended with added seating, landscaping and covered bicycle parking.
Construction activity winds down across Brisbane sites
Major works in South Brisbane, North Quay, the CBD and Buranda are complete, according to updates on the Brisbane Metro site. Only minor finishing and maintenance tasks remain in those locations. The project team has thanked residents for their patience during the main construction phase.
Brisbane Metro has also focused on sustainability by upgrading existing busways and stations rather than building entirely new routes, while introducing a fleet of electric metros with zero tailpipe emissions. The approach aligns with best-practice standards to limit emissions during any new construction.
Next steps for Brisbane commuters
Residents can check the latest status by downloading the October 2025 construction update PDF from the Brisbane Metro website or by contacting council on 1800 692 333 during business hours or via [email protected]. These channels provide direct information on any remaining minor works affecting daily travel in the CBD and surrounding precincts.