As construction ramps up on the Cross River Rail project - one of Queensland’s largest infrastructure projects - works are expected to double in size this year.
About 11 new work sites are set to open in 2020 in addition to the seven that have already been established. In addition, approximately 500 new workers are expected to be employed to work on the massive project this year as well.
“Already we’ve got 1,000 workers on Cross River Rail sites across the city. With new sites set to open, we’re looking at employing an extra 500 workers this year.
“A worksite has now been established at Boggo Road, the existing site at Woolloongabba is already a hive of activity, demolition at Albert Street in the heart of the CBD is well advanced and work at Roma Street is well and truly underway,” Cross River Rail Minister Kate Jones said.
On December 2019, Cross River Rail marked new project milestones as it welcomed the 1,000th worker to be employed for the delivery of the project; commenced demolition works on the Brisbane Transit Centre at Roma Street; and awarded a $40 million contract to Toowoomba-based company Wagners.
“2019 was a big year for the project. We appointed our major contractors, established multiple new worksites, revealed the location of three new Gold Coast stations and launched a Precincts Delivery Strategy that will be the catalyst for up to $20 billion of investment.
“But 2020 is where things really kick up a gear. We’ll complete demolition at Roma St and Albert St, start tunnelling from Woolloongabba to Boggo Road, start work on station upgrades and the new Gold Coast stations and we will have workers live on the project at as many as 18 sites across the city,” Cross River Rail Delivery Authority CEO Graeme Newton said.
Demolition works at Roma Street will be done progressively. The site is comprised of three buildings with works already underway on Hotel Jen and structural demolition set to commence on the East Tower in the first quarter of this year. The works are anticipated to take up to 1 year to complete.
“The start of demolition on Roma Street is a major milestone for Brisbane’s largest ever infrastructure project.
“The Brisbane Transit Centre must come down to make way for the new underground Cross River Rail station,” Ms Jones said.
On the other hand, Wagners has been appointed to manufacture all precast concrete tunnel segments that will be used on the 10.2-kilometre rail line that will run between Dutton Park and Bowen Hills.
Mr Newton said: “We have awarded contracts for three major works packages and construction consortiums that have been awarded those contracts are now sub-contracting works to a variety of companies as workforces are established at sites right across the city.”
Works are anticipated to start soon at the RNA Showgrounds ‘Exhibition’ station site as well as at stations beginning from Salisbury to Fairfield. Works will also commence on the three new stations - Pimpama, Helensvale North and Merrimac - on the Gold Coast as well as on the Cross River Rail’s southern tunnel portal located south of Boggo Road.
New and existing Cross River Rail worksites include:
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Source: Queensland Government (1, 2, 3, 4); Inside Construction (1, 2); Cross River Rail; Brisbane Times
