Procurement for the $2.6bn Logan & Gold Coast Faster Rail moves to next phase

Procurement for Queensland’s massive $2.6 billion Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project is moving forward with three major work packages moving to the next phase. 

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) received strong interest from industry through the Registration of Interest process and has seen multiple parties registering for each package. 

Request for Proposals will soon be released and registrants will be accepted for the Level Crossing Removal Package and the Rail Package. 

“Kickstarting the procurement process is an exciting milestone for industry and for customers and communities who will benefit from this major investment in rail. 

“The Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail and Loganlea Station Relocation projects remain a high priority for the Queensland Government to improve rail services between some of South East Queensland’s fastest growing cities and deliver integrated transport outcomes for local communities,” Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said. 

The Level Crossing Removal Package will include the removal of existing level crossings at Beenleigh Road at Kuraby station and Station Road at Bethania station and improve safety for these local communities. This package is going to be delivered through a collaborative design and construct contract. 

On the other hand, the Rail Package will cover the delivery of major rail works between Kuraby and Beenleigh including track duplication from two to four, station upgrades, removal of the remaining level crossings, local road works and active transport connections. An alliance contract is going to be awarded for the design and construction of this complex brownfield project. 

New Loganlea Station platforms and station concourse (source: Department of Transport and Main Roads)

Meanwhile, TMR will commence Expressions of Interest for the Loganlea Station Relocation Project that will relocate and upgrade Loganlea train station and park ‘n’ ride to improve connectivity with nearby health, education and community services – particularly Logan Hospital. 

Procurement and delivery timeframes for the project is still subject to further approvals by the Australian and Queensland Governments. 

This $2.6 billion project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, each contributing $1.3 billion. 

“Currently, all services on the Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines are constrained by single tracks in each direction between Kuraby and Beenleigh. 

“Once finalised, these projects will connect growing communities with more frequent and reliable train services between Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast. 

“The projects will improve accessibility at stations, provide safer connections across the rail corridor for the community, and provide an improved active transport corridor and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists,” Minister Bailey said. 

Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project map (source: Department of Transport and Main Roads)

The Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project will deliver: 

• Double the capacity of the Gold Coast rail line 
• Approximately 20 kilometres of new track and rail system between Kuraby station and Beenleigh station, increasing the corridor from 2 tracks to 4 tracks 
• New train signalling technology between Salisbury and Varsity Lakes 
• 7 station upgrades and 2 station relocations to improve accessibility, safety and amenity, including platform straightening, and new pedestrian bridges 
• A new Loganlea station will be delivered as part of the Loganlea station relocation and park ‘n’ ride expansion project 
• A new Trinder Park station relocated to the straightened section of track to improve train speeds and connectivity to the rail network 
• 5 level crossing removals at Kuraby, Woodridge, Bethania, Holmview and Beenleigh 
• Park ‘n’ ride upgrades, including a new multi-story Park ‘n’ Ride at Beenleigh Station with an integrated bus interchange 
• Extension of the cattle siding at Holmview 
• Duplication of the rail tunnel under Beenleigh Town Square 
• Dedicated active transport facilities and paths along the corridor 

Key features of the Loganlea Station Relocation Project will include: 

• Improved access to the station with ramps, stairs and lifts from Valencia Street and Armstrong Road 
• Better connectivity to local facilities and across the rail line 
• An expanded park ‘n’ ride with an additional 400 car parking spaces including 10 accessible spaces 
• A new station building to include real-time display screens, new wayfinding signage and hearing loops 
• Improved safety by increasing visibility to the station concourse and platforms and providing additional lighting and CCTV 
• Raised platforms to allow level access to trains 
• A secure storage cage for bicycle and scooter parking 
• 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 proposed Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project 

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