The $550.8 million Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (B2N) in Queensland has reached a new major milestone with the award of the early works contract to Sunshine Coast-based company Hall Contracting.
This project is part of the Australian Government’s $110 billion 10-year infrastructure investment plan.
“Investing in B2N is also about creating jobs and supporting the Sunshine Coast and Queensland’s economic recovery.
“It’s the first time in history that the Federal Government is funding this stretch of rail, where we’re contributing 70 per cent. We’re also funding 80 per cent of the Bruce Highway upgrades. The Sunshine Coast deserves this level of support,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said.
Early works on Stage 1 of the B2N project is expected to unlock the first of 333 jobs that are set to be generated through this development, providing a boost in local jobs in the Sunshine Coast.
“The Queensland Government is delivering a record $27.5 billion roads and transport infrastructure investment program and Sunshine Coast road rail upgrades are a major component of that program.
“The efforts of the Sunshine Coast community to help manage the health impacts of the pandemic has meant we’ve been able to get on with delivering our COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan and keep work moving on projects like the $932 million Bruce Highway upgrade from Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway,” Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said.
Stage 1 of B2N will include:
“The upgrade is one of several projects planned to improve the freight and passenger connection between Brisbane and Cairns.
“This $550.8 million investment in rail upgrades will help alleviate pressure on the Bruce Highway – the backbone of our transport infrastructure.
“The B2N project will provide additional track capacity and reliability, creating travel time savings and enabling increased passenger and freight services to the growing Sunshine Coast region,” Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said.
The B2N project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, each contributing $390 million and $160.8 million respectively.
“Alongside our record investment in a safer and less congested Bruce Highway, this project is another example of our determination to deliver for people of our region, to make sure the infrastructure they need and deserve is funded and delivered.
“These early works are the next critical step in delivering this project, which will create 333 jobs and over 1,860 additional parking spaces while paving the way to begin duplicating the line and separate passenger and freight rail at a serious pinch point along the line,” Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien said.
According to State Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt, the contract for early works is a “coup for a business” that is home-grown in the Sunshine Coast.
“More capacity and better rail takes extra cars and trucks off our road, and for the thousands of families that call this area home that means a quicker, safer commute home.
“It also means more jobs and I’m proud to be part of a government that’s also delivering the new Bells Creek Arterial Road and the $662 million Bruce Highway upgrade from Steve Irwin Way to Caboolture,” Mr Hunt said.
The entire scope of the business case of the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade will deliver a 20-kilometre duplication of the North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Landsborough stations along with station upgrades, new park ‘n’ ride facilities and new rail passing loops between Landsborough and Nambour.
“The early works will increase the park ‘n’ ride capacity at Landsborough and Nambour stations, helping to manage parking pressures in the surrounding streets and suburbs.
“For people in my community, the upgrade to the Nambour Station park ‘n’ ride facility will provide about 50 new parking spaces, boosting Nambour’s commuter car parking to more than 300 spaces,” State Member for Nicklin Robert Skelton said.
Weather and construction conditions permitting, early works will begin in early 2022 and completed by 2023 while the entire Stage 1 of the B2N project is expected to be completed by 2025.
Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads