Arcadia Bus Service Reroute
| Investment | $150,000 |
|---|---|
| Goal | 1 – A city that connects you to what you need at the time you choose. |
| Strategic Purpose | Townsville City Council, Translink and Kinetic are working to deliver improved bus services on Magnetic Island. The project involves rerouting the bus service to use Marine Parade instead of Hayles Avenue, Arcadia. The new bus route will improve safety and accessibility for island residents and tourists. |
| Status | Design and planning underway |
Project Background
Townsville City Council, in partnership with Translink and Kinetic, is investigating changing the alignment of route 250 and school route 251 on Magnetic Island in response to safety concerns.
After receiving feedback from the Magnetic Island community, Council identified safety issues related to long vehicles travelling on sections of route 250 and school route 251. Specifically, Council found the road environment in some areas along Hayles Avenue unsuitable for buses.
The route from Hayles Avenue will now run along Marine Parade, with the Armand Way bus stop reopening. Additionally, due to safety concerns, the bus services will travel directly along Kelly Street, bypassing the previous route along Murray Street, Mango Parkway, and Barton Street.
Furthermore, removing the loop on Yates Street, Compass Crescent, and Sextant Drive is proposed due to low patronage and proximity to alternative stops on Yates Street near Sooning Street.
Council plans to deliver the realignment of the Route 250 and 251 services in early December 2024 (subject to the completion of the temporary bus stop infrastructure).
Project Overview
As part of this project, Council will remove nine bus stops and construct five additional bus stops along Kelly Street, Marine Parade and Armand Way. Initially, temporary bus stops will be in place.
Stage 1 – Preliminary Works
Work will begin during the 2024/25 financial year to remove all bus stops along Hayles Avenue and McCabe Crescent, Arcadia. These works will include removing existing infrastructure, such as J-poles, and remediating the site.
As part of these preliminary works, Council will construct two new temporary bus stops along Marine Parade and one on Armand Way.
New bus stop locations are as follows:
- Adjacent and opposite to the Magnetic Island Bowls Club, Arcadia.
- Opposite stop 820037 on Armand Way at Alma Bay, Arcadia.
The existing Marine Parade stops heading to and from Bright Avenue and fronting the Arcadia Newsagency will remain.
Improvements to paths from Hayles Avenue to Marine Parade via Hordern Avenue and McCabe Crescent will also improve pedestrian access to the new bus stops.
Council will also construct two new temporary bus stops on Kelly Street, between Murray Street and Barton Street, in Nelly Bay.
Stage 2 – Construction Activities
Depending on Council's future budgets, work to construct permanent bus stops and associated infrastructure is tentatively scheduled for delivery in the 25/26 financial year.
These works will also include improvements to existing and proposed pathway connectors and the construction of new pathways.
As part of these works, Council will convert the existing bus stop opposite the Stage Door Theatre into parallel parking, including an accessible disability parking bay.
We will continue to provide updates on our progress and any changes to the schedule.
Documents
- Arcadia Bus Service Reroute Consultation Graphic (PDF, 2.8 MB)
- Nelly Bay Bus Stop Upgrade Consultation Graphic (PDF, 4.4 MB)
Resources
Project Update – October 2024
Council is close to finalising plans for the first stage of work to suit the new bus route and expects to complete it in December of this year, weather permitting.
Council will continue working with Translink, Kinetic, and the island community and share project updates as they become available. This will include information on construction activities, project timeframes, infrastructure, and new and temporary bus stop locations.
