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Sunday May 26, 2013

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Why Airportlink M7 failed

Posted by: Staff writers | 19 February, 2013 - 4:01 PM
Brisconnections

4BC Drive: Just 7 months after opening, the $4.8b Airport Link tunnel has been placed into voluntary administration.

Dr John Goldberg prepared an analysis of BrisConnections late last year and said the company had over estimated traffic flows, setting shareholders up for failure.

Goldberg also predicted the financial collapse of Sydney's Lane Cove and Cross City Tunnels and is perplexed as to why they all these major toll roads in Australia have followed the same unsuccessful model.

Dr Goldberg joins Gary Hardgrave to explain that despite it being an example of exceptional engineering, the controversial road was doomed from the start.

Join the conversation on Brisbane's tunnels in the comments. Where would you put a tunnel in Brisbane? Are the tolls too high?

Listen: Dr John Goldberg with Gary Hardgrave.

Listen: Paul Turner from RACQ has his say on Airport Link's voluntary administration

Blog comments Your Say

  • Comon Bob the slob just because your labor morons can't do a surplus so you think deficits are good, particulary funded by borrowed money, what a cretin you are.

    mick Wednesday 27 February, 2013 - 4:28 PM

  • Runny, I'm the Gateway Bridge's toll has been lifted several times since then, lol.

    James W Sunday 24 February, 2013 - 12:04 PM

  • Dunno rich
    Probably because they were put under pressure by the dildo public who think deficits are a bad idea.

    Bob Lord Wednesday 20 February, 2013 - 12:39 PM

  • @ Bob, you seem willing to defend the Governments decisions, so answer this.
    Why were public utilities and essential infrastructure privatised by susccesive governments?
    These private companies now hold the Australian people to ransom with tolls and charges spiralling out of control.
    Why Bob?
    Why do the Chinese control our waterways, why does the Macquarie group control our roads.
    Why are private companies controlling the power grid, gas and dams?
    In such a wealthy country , this is bordering on being criminal and those that sold us out , should be held accountable.
    Lets have an enquiry into the last 30 years of political sell offs in the interst of short term gains.

    Rich Wednesday 20 February, 2013 - 11:32 AM

  • Couple of problems there Ron of Brighton.
    CanLie has frozen rego so the Qld Gov is receiving less money. The toll roads aren't making money with the existing toll so would be way worse off at 50 cents a trip.
    10 bucks a car rego rise would raise about 20 million dollars - the Clem 7 and the Airport link cost about 7 Billion between them.
    If you want good infrastructure you have to pay for it somehow or deficits just keep getting bigger.
    It would be great if the governments just printed money, didn't raise taxes or charge tolls or fees for anything but life just ain't like that.

    Bob Lord Wednesday 20 February, 2013 - 10:43 AM

  • Can anyone remember the politician that said the gateway toll would be lifted by 1991.
    My idea on Toll Roads
    1. Set price for all at 50 cents a trip on all toll roads.
    2. Add $10 to everyone's rego to enable all to use the toll roads with no more to pay
    3. Abolish all tolls.
    The main reason for poor totals on the Airport link is the price.
    If they would have made it 50 cents a trip it would have worked.
    I would like to see all toll roads FREE of charge

    Ronny Of Brighton QLD Tuesday 19 February, 2013 - 8:19 PM

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