The Queensland Premier has revived a plan to spend billions for more rail access over the Brisbane River, but some residents wonder if it will be funded by money put aside for much-needed highway repairs.

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman says he is keen to get a project going that will provide more cross-river rail access in the state’s capital. It is a revival of an idea proposed under the previous government originally slated to cost $8 billion, the government now says it is working on a cut-price discount version which could come in for less than $4.5 billion.

Mr Newman is proud at how much cheaper the new plan is already, saying: “I can assure you that we've stripped billions of dollars out of the project cost... that's what we need to do to ultimately get it to the stage where the Treasurer, who's watching intently, will be able to find some money somewhere so we can fund it.”

There is speculation today that the place for the Queensland Government to find the money may be allocations put aside for repairs to the Bruce Highway, among other road projects.

The Bruce Highway is one of the deadliest roads in the country, claiming dozens of lives every year. Queensland Opposition treasury spokesman Curtis Pitt says money put aside to repair some horrific pieces of road could now be funnelled into the Brisbane-centric plan.

“What we know, based on yesterday's announcement, some of the money that may've been contributed to the Bruce Highway may well go to cross-river rail or other infrastructure projects,” Mr Pitt said.

“I've said for some time that Campbell is the Premier of Brisbane.”

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says there may be no cheap way to pull it off: “This proposed underground would cost even more than cross-river rail... I know that because when I was transport minister, we looked at this option and it was ruled out.”