Construction began in April 2007 on the
UQ Lakes to
Buranda section with it opening on 3 August 2009. The UQ Lakes to Buranda section of the busway was built under an alliance with
Thiess,
Sinclair Knight Merz and the
Department of Transport and Main Roads. A second tunnel passes under the
Pacific Motorway to connect with the
South East Busway at Buranda. On 1 December 2008, a worker was killed in an accident during construction of the section near the
Princess Alexandra Hospital. The accident occurred when an 18 tonne concrete bridge beam fell from its pier supports. The accident led to the suspension of construction for several days and charges being laid against construction contractor Theiss in relation to alleged breaches of the
Workplace Health and Safety Act. This death was the only recorded construction-related fatality on the busway network to date. In June 2008, the
Queensland Government approved the project's Concept Design and Impact Management Plan. The Concept Design and Impact Management Plan projects for a long-term investment in the future of the eastern suburbs. The Government committed $466 million for the next section of the Eastern Busway. This funding included 96 property resumptions between
Buranda and
Cavendish Road,
Coorparoo and construction of the section between the South East Busway and Main Avenue, Coorparoo with stations at
Stones Corner and
Langlands Park. In December 2008, the Queensland Government announced the Eastern Busway Alliance of
Leighton Contractors,
Sinclair Knight Merz, Maunsell and
AECOM to build this section. The Buranda to Main Avenue section connects the existing South East Busway at Buranda with Coorparoo via
Stones Corner. Busway stations have been built at
Stones Corner and
Langlands Park. Department of Transport and Main Roads compulsorily resumed the Myer building for Eastern Busway project on 31 July 2009. Construction work on the section commenced in August 2009. The Coorparoo bus station and busway proposed at the Myer building are not built. The section opened on 29 August 2011.
Extension to Capalaba Further extensions of the Eastern Busway are ready for immediate delivery, should funding become available under the Australian Government's Infrastructure Australia program. The Queensland Government's Transport and Main Roads Department has stated that "planning for the ultimate Eastern Busway between Main Avenue, Coorparoo and Capalaba is currently being revised, with further stages subject to funding and government priorities". The department is developing cost-effective short and medium term options for the Old Cleveland Road corridor, including intersection upgrades to allow for bus priority. It is proposed to extend the Eastern Busway along the
Old Cleveland Road corridor via the suburbs of
Coorparoo,
Camp Hill,
Carina,
Carindale and
Chandler to
Capalaba. Historically, the Old Cleveland Road corridor was a major
tram route until closure of Brisbane's tram network in 1969. ==Route==