The next stage of procurement for the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail (LGC) Project is getting underway as major contractors are shortlisted to tender for three individual packages of work.
The work packages and shortlisted tenderers include:
These major contractors will be delivering their proposals for the individual work packages over the next six months, including design, construction plans and cost.
“Our growing community need more train services, faster trains, station upgrades and active transport connections, and that’s exactly what our government is delivering.
“The Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project means less time commuting and more time with family.
“I’m thrilled we’ve now reached this significant milestone and look forward to seeing what those who’ve been shortlisted come up with for this game changing project,” Minister for Health and Ambulance Services and Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman said.
The LGC Rail Package will deliver major rail works between Kuraby and Beenleigh including track duplication from two to four tracks, station upgrades, local road works and active transport connections. An alliance contract will be awarded for the design and construction of this complex brownfield project.
Successful builders for each package will be announced later this year.
The announcement of shortlisted contractors follows a year of significant progress for the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project including refining the reference design, extensive survey and geotechnical investigations, and community engagement.
In addition, the Queensland Government is working towards important final environmental approvals from the Australian Government.
“It is good to see this project proceeding,” Deputy Premier Cameron Dick said.
“The Miles Government has a great track record delivering public transport projects for the people of South East Queensland that reduce the amount of time spent commuting.
“This is great news for my community and I welcome today’s announcement that will see successful contractors confirmed by the end of the year,” Member for Macalister Melissa McMahon said.
The Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project involves removing five level crossings to improve travel times and safety for both road and rail users. The works will include constructing three road-over-rail overpasses and removing two level crossings as well as upgrading intersections and improving the local road network.
Modern and accessible stations will also be built between Kuraby and Beenleigh to help improve access to train services for Logan residents.
The delivery of the 20-kilometre section of rail line between Kuraby and Beenleigh will unlock the next critical bottleneck in the region’s rail network, building on the Cross River Rail development that is already underway.
The Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project will provide more frequent and reliable rail services by increasing the number of tracks from two to four and allowing the free movement of both all-stops and express trains.
Once completed, commuters will be met with modern and accessible stations, and they will be spending less time waiting on platforms for a train to arrive. This means easier connections to the rest of South East Queensland through the existing rail network as well as the new services delivered through Cross River Rail and the Direct Sunshine Coast Line.
“Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail is a critical project that will allow more of our fastest trains to run more often.
“Shortlisting proponents to deliver these works is an important and exciting step towards a major upgrade on our South East Queensland rail network.
“Once finalised, all of these projects will help to connect our growing communities with more frequent and reliable train services between Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast.
“The additional tracks will also mean more services can run, allowing customers to arrive at new, modern and accessible train stations and spend less time waiting on the platform for a train to arrive,” Minister for Transport, Main Roads and Digital Services Bart Mellish said.
On the other hand, the $173.8 million Loganlea Station Relocation project will relocate and upgrade the Loganlea train station to better provide connections for commuters to nearby health, education and community services – particularly Logan Hospital.
The scope of the Loganlea Station project will include:
The broader $5.75 billion Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project is jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments on a 50:50 basis.
This major transport infrastructure development is one of several large investments in the State’s rail network that is already underway along with Cross River Rail, the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (B2N), the European Train Control System (ETCS) and the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP) that will build 65 new fully-accessible trains at Torbanlea, near Maryborough, to run on the South East Queensland train network.
These transport projects will not only play an important role during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, but they will also deliver significant improvements for everyday Queenslanders through more frequent and reliable services around South East Queensland.
“The Miles Government’s rail revolution is well underway in South East Queensland and the people of Stretton will benefit from more frequent trains and less time spent commuting.
“Along with station upgrades, better active transport connections, this is a great project that will make a big difference to my community.
“I’m thrilled that this vital upgrade is progressing. My community and I are pleased as we are one step closer to removing the Kuraby level crossing,” Member for Stretton James Martin said.
Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads (1, 2); Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Infrastructure Magazine