The Riverside Expressway frequently becomes congested in peak hour traffic due to its status as the main route to and from the Brisbane CBD from the south.
The numerous sets of traffic lights on both of these long, narrow roads also increases travel times from Buranda to Toowong.
A tunnel between Buranda and the Toowoong roundabout would create a motorway-grade road between those points, eliminating the need for any travel on suburban streets and any encounter with traffic lights.
The East-West Link tunnel would further create another 4 or 6 general traffic lanes for vehicles to cross the Brisbane River.
[4] Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has stated that the Brisbane City Council's next infrastructure project after completion of the Legacy Way tunnel in 2015 is the upgrade of Kingsford Smith Drive.