QLD Government released SEQ Rail Connect plan

The Queensland Government has released its South East Queensland Rail Connect plan, a blueprint of how the region’s rail network is going to be transformed and how trains will operate once Cross River Rail is up and running. 

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said that the significant investment in rail infrastructure will transform how Queenslanders travel around in the State’s South East. 

“In 2025, the first underground rail system in the state’s history will be built paving the way for faster, more frequent services, but we aren’t just building Cross River Rail, we’re building a brand-new network. 

“This network will be a change for Queenslanders, but it will open the door for future investment and timesaving timetable changes to help Queenslanders get home sooner and safer,” Minister Bailey said. 

The South East Queensland Rail Connect plan is headlined by projects such as the Beerburrum to Nambour and Kuraby to Beenleigh track duplication, Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3, various station upgrades across the State, and the manufacture of 65 brand-new trains in Maryborough. 

To bring all these projects together, a new modern signalling system is going to be delivered along with the implementation of state-of-the-art Platform Screen Doors for underground stations – a technology used on subway networks in Europe and Singapore – to enable more services to run more often while improving passenger safety. 

The rail connect plan aims to open new public transport opportunities for residents and visitors to the region through the establishment of a new three sector network, namely: 

• Sector One – a north-south spine connecting the northern and southern regions through Cross River Rail tunnel from Varsity Lakes and Beenleigh to Redcliffe Peninsula and Nambour 
• Sector Two – comprising of services from Rosewood, Ipswich and Springfield through Central to Doomben, the Airport and Shorncliffe 
• Sector Three – will operate from Ferny Grove through Central and Southbank to Cleveland 

All trains from the three sectors will pass through Roma Street, either through the existing station or through the new underground Cross River Rail station. 

“This will be a big change for some customers, but presents many opportunities especially when considering the sheer level of investment and good jobs that will be supported. 

“Cross River Rail is already supporting more than 1,700 Queensland subcontractors and will support 7,700 jobs over the life of the project, while the Queensland made Train Manufacturing Program and rollout of the European Train Control System will support thousands of jobs over the life of the programs. 

“There’s nothing that helps Queenslanders tackle the cost of living more than having a strong pipeline of work on Queensland soil,” Minister Bailey said. 

Source: Queensland Government

Minister Bailey added that Queensland’s “incredible rail revolution” will deliver for all commuters across the State now and into the future. 

With over 80,000 people migrating to Queensland in the past two years, the investment in rail infrastructure is evidence that the State is committed to planning, building and delivering a world-class rail network for those residing and visiting Queensland. 

“Our rail revolution is all about building for growth and providing a legacy of infrastructure for generations of Queenslanders to come. 

“The new network we build now will be the network Queensland kids and Olympic-goers will remember. 

“Our four-year road and transport plan includes $7.154 billion in funding towards this ambitious near $20 billion pipeline and we’re proud to be investing in the network at record levels,” Minister Bailey said. 

Queensland’s rail pipeline includes: 

• $5.4 billion Cross River Rail 
• $7.1 billion Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (including Ormeau stabling and maintenance facility) 
• $2.6 billion Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project to upgrade tracks and stations between Kuraby and Beenleigh 
• $1.2 billion Gold Coast Light Rail stage three 
• $764.3 million European Train Control System rollout 
• $275.7 million for Automatic Train Operation and Platform Screen Door fitment on New Generation Rollingstock 
• $550.8 million Beerburrum to Nambour upgrade (stage 1) 
• Over $500 million South East Queensland Station Accessibility Upgrades Program 
• $360 million Park n Ride upgrade program 
• $374.1 million European Train Control System train fitment 
• $20 million Salisbury to Beaudesert business case 
• $15 million Brisbane to Toowoomba passenger rail business case 
• $6 million Direct Sunshine Coast line planning study 
• $2.5 million Springfield to Ipswich rail corridor study 
• $371.1 million smart ticketing 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads; Infrastructure Magazine; Roads & Infrastructure Australia