Major contracts awarded for the delivery of Logan & Gold Coast Faster Rail

Following the announcement of shortlisted bidders earlier this year, two of three major contracts for the $5.75 billion Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project have now been awarded. 

The Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments on a 50:50 basis – each contributing $2.875 billion. 

“The Australian Government is proud to be partnering with the Queensland Government to deliver this important upgrade for train users and the Logan community. 

“The Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail will double the capacity of the Gold Coast rail line and reduce waiting times at stations between Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast. 

“This project will deliver long-lasting benefits for the City of Logan and this contract award is another step toward its completion,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

The Martinus Degnan Joint Venture has been awarded the contract to deliver the Loganlea Station Relocation project, which will see the construction of a brand-new Loganlea station at a new location directly opposite Logan Hospital and is close to Loganlea TAFE and Loganlea State High School. 

Key features of the $173.76 million Loganlea Station Relocation project include: 

• Improved access to the train station with ramps, stairs and lifts from Valencia Street and Armstrong Road 

• Better connectivity to local facilities and across the rail line 

• A new train station building to include real-time display screens, new wayfinding signage and hearing loops 

• Improves safety by increasing visibility to the train station concourse and platform and providing additional lighting and CCTV 

• Raised platforms and flush kerbing to allow level access to trains 

• Better active transport and a secure bicycle enclosure 

• Platform widening and tactile ground surface indicators on platforms 

• Provision for fare gates to the platforms that can only be accessed by customers 

• Provision for future track and platform expansion, enabling the delivery of the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project 

The State Government is continuing to investigate options to improve connections to Loganlea station, including access to the station by bus, retaining some parking spaces from the existing park ‘n’ ride as well as working with Logan City Council to identify other land opportunities for development. 

Construction on the brand-new Loganlea station will commence later this year, with the station to be up and running by mid-2027. The existing Loganlea station will remain open until the new station is completed. 

“I will always fight to deliver better services for Logan. 

“The newly-located Loganlea station and park ‘n’ ride will provide better connectivity to local facilities and ensure accessibility for everyone travelling around South East Queensland. 

“With Logan Hospital undergoing its biggest expansion ever, the university and Loganlea TAFE right next door, Loganlea’s new state-of-the-art train station is a huge boost for Logan’s newest health and jobs precinct. 

“The new fully accessible station at Loganlea means better services for everyone, and under Labor, locals will be able to travel anywhere using public transport for just 50 cents,” State Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman said. 

The second contract, which is for the design and construction of the Open Level Crossing Removal project at Beenleigh Road in Kuraby, has been awarded to the Bielby Hull Joint Venture. 

This is the first of five level crossings to be removed between Kuraby and Beenleigh as part of the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail development. 

The Queensland Government sought public feedback on the initial design for the open level crossing removals back in late 2023. 

Response showed clear support for the removal of the level crossings to help improve safety and ease congestion. Feedback also showed that access to key community facilities, accessible crossings, and local road connections are priorities for the community. 

“Residents regularly raise this level crossing at Kuraby as a concern, it’s an important development for my community that the design and construction tender for this road overpass has now been awarded. 

“This level crossing removal is an important step to imprive safety and congestion on our local road network, detailed design is underway and construction expected to start in early 2026. 

“The Miles Government’s Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail is a pivotal project for transport in our region,” Member for Stretton James Martin said. 

As part of the tender process, proponents were asked to innovate and consider options that incorporate community feedback and deliver the best value for money. 

The proposed solution for the removal of the level crossing at Kuraby builds on the previous refined design to construct a new road over rail bridge and improve walkability and access across the rail corridor. 

The Queensland Government will continue to work closely with the Bielby Hull Joint Venture over the next three to six months to further develop the design solution for Bethania due to the complexities at this location, such as flooding issues, to ensure local access and connections are maintained, and impacts to important local community facilities are minimised. 

The State Government will also consult with the community again when the updated designs for the open level crossing removals are unveiled in early 2025. 

“Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail is vital to increasing train services between Beenleigh and the Gold Coast. Without it, the network will struggle to cater for a fast-growing population and the capacity to move spectators during the Birsbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

“Awarding these two contracts means work can begin on this critical transport project. 

“Level crossings impact every Queenslander, whether you’re a passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, or driver. 

“The five level crossings being removed as part of the entire project are some of the first being addressed under the South East Queensland (SEQ) Level Crossing Program 2024. 

“The program is the Queensland Government’s new coordinated approach to cost-effective solutions to our most problematic level crossings across the South East,” QLD Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish said. 

The contract for the remaining LGC Rail package is expected to be awarded in late 2024, subject to government approvals. 

Key features of the multi-billion-dollar Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project include: 

• Accessibility upgrades to stations at Kuraby, Trinder Park, Woodridge, Kingston, Loganlea, Bethania, Edens Landing, Holmview, and Beenleigh 

• Double the capacity of the Gold Coast rail line and reduce waiting times at stations between Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast 

• Approximately 20 kilometres of new tracks and rail systems between Kuraby station and Beenleigh station, increasing the corridor from 2 to 4 tracks 

• Better connected communities through dedicated active transport facilities and paths along the corridor 

• Improved road network efficiency and reduced peak hour traffic congestion through intersection upgrades and level crossing removals at Kuraby, Woodridge, Bethania, Holmview, and Beenleigh 

• New train signalling technology between Salisbury and Varsity Lakes 

• Extension of the cattle siding at Holmview 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads (1, 2); Infrastructure Magazine