‘Brisbane public transport cathedral’: Cross River Rail Roma Street interchange taking shape

Passengers can at last get a glimpse inside the Cross River Rail’s underground station network at the Roma St interchange ahead of rollout of the $6.3bn project. SEE THE VIDEO

Commuters have their first glimpse of how they will be taken almost 30 metres underground at Cross River Rail’s Roma Street station to catch the new train connections in 2026.

Construction on the $6.3b project is due to finish next year, then there will be months of testing and safety inspections.

The first passengers should be boarding the trains sometime in 2026, the government is not committing to a more specific timeline as yet.

The project has long drawn criticism, and progress has been plagued by CFMEU safety concerns and site shutdowns, as well as budget blowouts.

Escalators, staircases and elevators taking passengers below the surface are being installed, and the platforms themselves are taking shape.

In the coming months, the station’s roof will be lifted into place and giant Indigenous public artworks will be installed in the pedestrian thoroughfares.

Queensland State Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace and Transport Minister Bart Mellish (left) are given an update by Graeme Newton, the CEO of the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority. Picture: Dan Peled

Transport Minister Bart Mellish described the new Roma Street station as “a cathedral of public transport in the heart of Brisbane” and the escalator taking passengers up to the surface and out of the station building as “a stairway to heaven”.

“Roma Street is set to become our state’s most significant transport interchange and will provide a vital link for commuters during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he said.

“With Suncorp Stadium set to host the opening and closing ceremonies, and the Brisbane Arena to be constructed only a short walk away, Roma Street will bring significant benefits to how commuters travel during the Games and for many years to come.

“For people travelling to Brisbane for the first time on regional and interstate bus and train services, Roma Street will be their ‘gateway’ to the city’s new underground line.”

Cross River Rail was touted as a major part of Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic plan, particularly its ability to improve public transport connections to the Gabba where the opening and closing ceremonies were originally going to be held, before the plan changed to Suncorp Stadium.

State Development Minister Grace Grace said the project justified itself beyond the Olympics.

“No infrastructure like this goes to waste, it is absolutely a city transformation. The people of Brisbane, Queensland, and visitors to this state will benefit for many years to come,” she said.

“The Gabba will be there for many years to come and the new Cross River Rail station at Woolloongabba will service all patrons who visit the Gabba for the Olympic Games.

“We’ll be investing in the Gabba to make sure it has a life further into the future.”

Queensland State Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace and Transport Minister Bart Mellish visit the site of the Roma Street Cross River Rail station in Brisbane. Picture: Dan Peled

The Cross River Rail project features a new 10.2km train line through the CBD, connecting existing Brisbane rail lines from south to north.

There are also 5.9km of twin tunnels, with four new stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street.

In January, residents were given a glimpse of the new Albert Street station.

Cross River Rail Delivery Authority CEO Graeme Newton said there will be “seamless” connection between the new underground Roma Street station and the existing above-ground platforms.

“It was only a couple of years back that we were demolishing Brisbane’s ugliest building – the Transit Centre. Now we’re replacing it with an architecturally-designed station,” he said.

More than 46,000 passengers are expected to use the new Roma Street station each weekday by 2036.