THE fourth and final stage of Brisbane's Northern Busway may be scrapped by the Newman Government as it wrangles with the state's overblown finances.

Touring the just-completed third stage this morning, Transport Minister Scott Emerson said the final element connecting Kedron to Bracken Ridge may need reconsideration.

It was planned to be built by 2026.

“We are committed in terms of doing the best we can with the money we’ve got but the reality is we’ve inherited a very difficult financial situation from the previous government,” Mr Emerson said.

“So that means we have to look at all those projects in terms of what can we afford. If we can’t afford it, we can’t deliver it.”

The $444 million Windsor to Kedron section is set to open on Monday, building on the already opened connectors between Queen St in the city, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital at Herston and Windsor.

Premier Campbell Newman, who also jumped on the bus for the 3km tour this morning, said the project would deliver more reliable travel times for northside commuters.

He denied he was taking credit for a project almost wholly planned, funded and delivered by the former Bligh government, saying the LNP had added 2000 additional bus services for the line.

Opposition transport spokeswoman Jackie Trad said the Northern Busway would never have been built under the "slash and burn" Newman Government.

"The Newman Government cannot continue the hypocrisy of criticising the previous government's budget priorities and then claiming credit for the infrastructure and services being delivered by these priorities," she said.

The completion of the major project will come as a relief to long-suffering local residents tormented by round-the-clock construction noise and dust.

A community day will be held this Saturday between 10am and 2pm so locals can walk the 600m busway tunnel connecting the new Lutwyche and Kedron Brook stations.

Mr Newman also used the event to spruik his election promise that Go Card users would travel free after taking nine journeys each week, which he said would deliver “real savings back into people’s pockets”.

The policy kicks in from June 25.



Originally published as Busway final stage may be scrapped