The proposed Indooropilly bikeway has been transformed into the Indooroopilly Riverwalk, with two stages of the planned construction now to be completed at once to create an 800-metre shared path.
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Brisbane City Council announced the four-stage bikeway, of which stage one alone was projected to cost about $8.5 million, would eventually connect the western suburbs of Kenmore and Indooroopilly to the University of Queensland.
The council decided to expand the project into a shared five-metre-wide pedestrian and cycleway, to create a trail comparable to the New Farm Riverwalk.
Final costing for the new combined plan is not yet available.
The first stage running parallel to Radnor Street, Indooroopilly, will run over the river to remove cycle traffic from the road.
Stage One of the planned cycleway will connect Witton Road and Twigg Street to Foxton Street and Radnor Street, adding pedestrian connections at Riverview Terrace.
The second stage, which was planned to be a separate project when funding became available, would extend the first stage under the Walter Taylor Bridge and connect to the Witton Barracks on the east side, at the existing Jack Pesch Bikeway.
Bicycle Queensland chief executive Anne Savage welcomed the announcement.
"The new Indooroopilly bikeway will make travel by bike faster and safer, raising property values and bringing new business to the small business precinct along Riverview Terrace," she said.
"The new shared bridges will rapidly mark their place on Brisbane’s iconic River Loop, enabling thousands of locals and visitors to enjoy all that Brisbane has to offer – on bikes."
Brisbane West Bicycle User Group convenor Chris Cox described the project as a "game changer".
"While we enthusiastically supported Stage One, we have said from the outset that Stage Two connecting to Witton Barracks and the Jack Pesch Bridge to Chelmer was critical to realise the benefits Brisbane residents want," Mr Cox said.
"We are delighted that council has listened to the feedback from us, our members and others in the community and are proceeding to deliver stages one and two in a single project."
Stage One was projected to begin work in early 2019 but Brisbane West BUG said it was understood construction of the two-stage plan would now be delayed to late 2019.
"It's usually cheaper to do a project of this kind in one go, rather than in multiple stages. I firmly believe in the philosophy of do it once, and do it right. If this takes a bit longer, it's worth the wait," Mr Cox said.
The design is still being completed for the new shared pathway, with council expecting to tender for the construction in mid 2019.
The council was contacted for comment.
