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. Construction work on the section commenced in August 2009. The section opened on 29 August 2011.
Further extensions
Further stages 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. Busways - Department of Transport and Main Roads The department is developing cost-effective short and medium term options on Old Cleveland Road, 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.
Stations
Busway stations on the Eastern Busway currently include:
UQ Lakes
Boggo Road
Princess Alexandra Hospital
Buranda
Stones Corner
Langlands Park
Major proposed stations on the busway include:
a new station underneath the old Myer building at Coorparoo
is located alongside the Park Road railway station. The busway platforms are listed as Platform 5 and 6 to align with the existing platforms at Park Road station. This may cause confusion to busway users as on each other station in the Busway network, inbound traffic is designated Platform 1 while outbound traffic is designated Platform 2.