The Cross River Rail underground stations in Queensland are slowly taking shape and the Woolloongabba project site has reached a new milestone with the installation of the first of almost 100 escalators that will form part of the transformational rail project.
Two of the 24 escalators for the Woolloongabba station have been installed in the cavern. The remaining escalators – which are 12 metres long and weigh 17.5 tonnes each – including the 29 for Albert Street, 28 for Roma Street and 14 for Boggo Road stations will progressively arrive and be installed accordingly.
Installation of the escalators marks the next phase of construction as Cross River Rail moves from excavation and bulk civil works to the mechanical and electrical fit out of the rail stations. These escalators are a critical part of accessibility in the station caverns as they will take passengers to and from the train platform and station concourse.
On the other hand, bigger escalators that are 21 metres long and weight about 26 tonnes each – which are still to arrive – will take passengers from the surface down into the underground stations.
Other accessibility needs that will assist passengers will also be installed in the underground stations, including elevators.
In addition to the installation of the first escalators, other works on the future Woolloongabba station are also progressing well with 113 of the 181 concrete beams already installed for the mezzanine that sits on the level above the platforms. In turn, the platforms are also taking shape with about 198 metres of the station’s 220-metre-long platform completed.
“The installation of the first escalators on this transformational project at Woolloongabba is a significant milestone.
“Combined with the progress of the station itself, including the mezzanine and platform levels, you can now really start to picture what these underground stations will look like and the benefots they will bring.
“The Woolloongabba Cross River Rail station, along with Brisbane Metro and the Gabba redevelopment, will sit at the centre of a major urban renewal precinct with more housing, dining and retail options.
“Queenslanders will be able to get off the train and walk or scooter from the Gabba to South Bank and back to the City – the whole area will be revitalised just like Expo 88 transformed South Bank,” Acting Premier Steven Miles said.
The overall Cross River Rail development will transform how people travel across South East Queensland. The project will deliver a 10.2-kilometre rail line that runs from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, including a 5.9-kilometre twin tunnels under the Brisbane River and Brisbane CBD.
The project will also deliver four new underground stations along with a new above ground station at the RNA Grounds and Dutton Park. Six stations between Fairfield and Salisbury will be upgraded as well, and three new stations will be built on the Gold Coast.
Cross River Rail is projected to create an average of 1,500 jobs annually and up to 3,000 jobs at the peak of its five-year construction period. The project will also generate 450 new apprentice and traineeship opportunities.
“Cross River Rail will mean stations in more convenient locations, the capacity to increase train services as our population grows, and public transport will become a more viable option for the whole region, helping to ease congestion on our roads.
“When it comes to these escalators themselves, they are the same ones that will be used by people from all around the world to events for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Just as exciting are the benefits that Cross River Rail is bringing to our economy now, with a new wave of tradies coming on board as the project moves into the mechanical and electrical fit out.
“Workers such as lift and escalator installers, riggers and electricians are now helping to build this transformational project, as it injects about $2.3 million a day into the state’s economy.
“Cross River Rail will not only transform the way we travel in the future – it’s delivering real benefits now,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said.
Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Cross River Rail; Infrastructure Magazine; Roads & Infrastructure Australia