News

Significant construction progress on the new underground station at Albert Street has given passersby their first look at just how much the new station will transform the southern end of Brisbane’s CBD.

Outside, construction of the underground station’s massive 153-tonne canopy, which will provide shade over the public plaza outside the main entrance, is now clearly visible from street level.

As you look up, you can see the huge 22-metre-wide and 42-metre-long steel structure of the canopy stretch out from the station’s main entrance building, 16 metres above Albert Street.

Construction was no easy feat – with each of the four trusses arriving in pre-assembled modules and being so large that they needed to be brought to site during nightshift to be transported safely through the city.

Once complete, this structure will work hard, not only shading the public plaza below, but also storing the flood barrier system which can be deployed during a flood event to protect the underground station.

Sections of the Albert Street green spine – the shady subtropical public plaza being built outside the station between Mary and Elizabeth streets – reopened to the public before Christmas, with more to follow later this year.

These new spaces will breathe life into the heart of the city by providing space for on-street dining, places to relax, and more lush and spacious connections between Queen Street Mall and the botanical gardens.

Meanwhile, works are continuing out of sight and below ground, including the recent installation of the Queensland’s longest escalator – measuring about 37.5 metres long.

The record-breaking escalator can be found at the station’s northern entrance, which people will use as they approach from the Queen Street Mall.