NQ/FNQ Rail Upgrade

Jobs full steam ahead in $46m NQ/FNQ rail upgrade

ANOTHER two bridges have been upgraded as part of the Queensland Government’s $46 million rail line upgrade between Cairns and Townsville.

Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said old timber bridges between Tully and El-Arish had been replaced with sturdier, safer concrete and steel structures, sparking 150 jobs for steel fabricators, precast manufacturers, quarry suppliers and labourers.

“With up to 6,600 trains travelling through this section every year, this project is an important building block for the future of the North Coast line and our economy,” Mr Pitt said.

“The 1,453km North Coast line is a critical link for rail services from the Far North all the way down to Brisbane. It carries goods and supplies that keep our supermarket shelves stocked, exports from our primary producers and connects many of our communities,” Mr Pitt said.

“Replacing these old timber bridges improves the overall safety, durability and reliability of the line, while also reducing the costs associated with regular maintenance and repairs.”

The upgrades between Tully and El-Arish bring the total number of bridges replaced since 2019 to 11.

Mr Pitt said five additional bridges would be replaced between Cardwell and El-Arish from now until October.

“It’s great to see these works forging ahead and ultimately bringing us another step closer to achieving a more reliable and safer rail network.”

The $46 million timber bridge upgrade project is due for completion in December 2020, weather permitting.