Cross River Rail's new Roma Street Station is steadily taking shape

One of Queensland’s major transport infrastructure developments is steadily taking shape with significant progress seen on the construction of the new Cross River Rail Roma Street Station. 

To date, six of eight escalators along the station’s platform have been installed along with four of the 20 that will take passengers to the station’s surface level. 

Several architectural features are also now visible, including panels for the station’s permanent walls as well as final touches to the baffle ceilings that will help absorb sound. 

“It is fantastic to see this brand-new underground station well on track to completion. 

“There is no denying the significant impact this piece of infrastructure will bring, not only to residents of Brisbane, but to Queenslanders and visitors alike. 

“I have lived in central Brisbane all my life and cannot wait to see how this project will transform the city, for the better,” Minister for State Development and Infrastructure and Member for McConnel Grace Grace said. 

The Roma Street Station is projected to cater to more than 46,000 people each weekday by 2036. 

The combined works across the massive project site will not only provide a sense of how expansive the underground stations for Cross River Rail are but will also give a glimpse of the journey passengers will take as they descend about 30 metres below ground to board their trains. 

“Roma Street is looking less like a construction site and more like a train station every day. 

“The rate of progress is incredible, and the works give you a real sense of the sheer size and scale of the finished station. 

“The significant progress so far is testament to the dedication and hard work of the 250-strong crew at Roma Street who are making this underground station a reality,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish said. 

Installation of escalators in Roma Street station box (source: Queensland Government)

Over the coming months, the transformation of the construction site into a train station will continue with the installation of the final escalators in the station box, artwork from renowned Indigenous artist Judy Watson is set in place and the station canopy is erected, rising 23 metres above street level. 

Once completed, Roma Street will be reborn as Queensland’s most significant public transport interchange and an iconic gateway to Brisbane. 

“Roma Street is set to become our state’s most significant transport interchange and will provide a vital link for commuters during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

“With Suncorp Stadium set to host the opening and closing ceremonies and the state-of-the-art Brisbane Arena to be constructed only a short walk away, Roma Street will bring significant benefits to how commuters travel during the Games and for many years to come. 

“It will be the main Cross River Rail station connecting to surface bus and rail networks, meaning that for many people it will be how they switch to trains travelling through the new tunnels beneath Brisbane River and CBD,” Minister Mellish said. 

Cross River Rail will deliver a second river crossing at the core of the region’s rail network. It will feature a new 10.2-kilometre rail line with 5.9 kilometres of twin tunnels that run under the Brisbane River and CBD. 

The project also includes new and upgraded stations to provide better access to work, education and recreation hubs. Cross River Rail will build four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street; rebuild eight stations from Salisbury to Dutton Park and Exhibition Station; and construct three new Gold Coast stations at Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac. 

Construction of Cross River Rail is expected to be completed in 2025 and the new rail network is anticipated to be up and running in 2026. 

Approximately 7,700 jobs will be created during the construction phase. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Infrastructure Magazine; Cross River Rail (1, 2)