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CROSS RIVER RAIL IS SET TO EASE THE STRAIN FROM QUEENSLAND’S ROAD TRANSPORT NETWORK WITH A GOAL OF TAKING 47,000 CARS OFF THE ROAD BY 2036.
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s Queensland’s biggest infrastructure project, Cross River Rail is more than just a rail project. By offering a new 10.2-kilometre rail from Brisbane’s Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, including 5.9 kilometres of twin tunnels under the Brisbane River and CBD, the project will alleviate stress from the transport network. In making public transport a more attractive option, the project is looking to take around 47,000 cars off the road by 2036. Of course, as a rail project, unlocking the bottleneck at the core of the rail network is a key element. With the current rail network nearing capacity and constrained by a single river crossing and four Brisbane stations in the CBD, the Cross River Rail will alleviate the bottleneck. Likewise, providing more trains to run across the complete South East Queensland network and integrating with new roads and bus services is another important benefit, not least revitalising 14
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multiple inner-city precincts. Put in perspective, the Cross River Rail Business Case, released in August 2017, found the project benefits would exceed the costs by $1.9 billion. At a glance, the project comprises four underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street. It also covers two upgraded stations at Dutton Park and Exhibition and six upgraded stations from Salisbury to Fairfield on Brisbane’s southside. Moreover, the project includes the development of three new Gold Coast Stations at Pimpama, Helensvale North and Merrimac. Cross River Rail has been more than 10 years in the making, with the Newman Government bringing in an expert panel in 2012 to review the business case. Former Transport Minister Scott Emerson had remarked at the time that the earliest possible project delivery would be 2020. Almost a decade later, as predicted, more than 200 companies across South
East Queensland have already secured Cross River Rail contracts, with more opportunities for the tunnels and stations works package set to be released. At least seven construction sites are currently active, with more to open. It’s even inspired the appointment of a ministerial portfolio in Kate Jones, who is also the Tourism Industry Development Minister, with the Queensland Government investing $5.4 billion to deliver the project. Graeme Newton, Chief Executive Officer of the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, says that what is perhaps underestimated is the power of this project to truly transform the region. “The fact that Cross River Rail will help more trains get around the network, create new stations in Brisbane and the Gold Coast and upgrade eight others is only one part of the story,” he says. Mr. Newton says the other part of the story is that Cross River Rail will act as a catalyst to change the urban landscape for the better.
