Brisbane track closures: Full list of Xmas train disruptions for Cross River Rail

Tens of thousands of commuters could be hit with 40-minute delays in and out of the city over the festive season as part of crucial works to the $6.3bn Cross River Rail project. SEE THE LIST

Tens of thousands of commuters could be hit with 40-minute delays in and out of the city over the festive season as part of crucial works to the $6.3bn Cross River Rail project.

Rail authorities have advised passengers to plan ahead every day or face being hit with track closures over the December and January period with the network to be impacted for critical works on the project.

Works will involve infrastructure at multiple sites including track reconfigurations, tunnel portal works and accessibility upgrades to stations between Dutton Park and Salisbury.

All lines on the South East Queensland network are set to be impacted at different stages between December 23 to January 18 with alternative transport and replacement buses planned.

Cross River Rail chief executive Graeme Newton said the work had to be done over the festive period when the patronage was low.

“By getting unfettered access it really improves the program,” Mr Newton said.

“A lot of this work is essential to keep the progress of the work going, and it’s in a really good place at the moment.”

Mr Newton said the Cross River Rail project had a “lot of work ahead” but remained on target for “early” 2026.

He was unable to provide a more definitive time frame.

“As well as the underground work we move into the fit out of stations, testing and commissioning, these are quite complex works but we are still on target for 2026,” Mr Newton said.

“We talk about 2026 because as we move closer to it we get greater clarity, and that’s the normal practice with a project like this with the level of complexity.

“The schedule we have is working towards a target date in early 2026 however what we need to do is be pragmatic around that, but currently we are heading towards that same target date.”

Translink’s director of events Roman Gafa said about 250,000 people a week were expected to use trains over the December and January period, about 55-60 per cent lower than regular weeks.

Mr Gafa advised people to plan ahead and leave earlier than usual with an increase of 30-40 minutes onto a normal commute in and out of the city.

“There will be plenty of buses replacing trains and lots of services to get around the city,” Mr Gafa said.

“It’s important to plan pretty much every day because it is changing quite a bit every day as lines open and close. Do your planning and you’ll be fine.”

Mr Gafa said lines would open up to ensure the New Year’s Eve celebrations with “plenty” of bus and rail options for revellers.

Authorities are planning alternative transport and replacement buses with rail services returning to a regular timetable from first service on January 19.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said Cross River Rail would transform how people travelled across South East Queensland in the future, but construction now did mean impacts to train services.

“While trains won’t be able to operate across some parts of the network to ensure works can be carried out safely and efficiently, the works have been scheduled during the traditionally quieter December and January period to minimise impacts,” he said.

TRACK CLOSURES

December 23: Impacts inner city, Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Airport and Ferny Grove lines.

December 24-26: Impacts inner city, Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Ferny Grove, Doomben, Airport, Sunshine Coast/Caboolture, Shorncliffe, Redcliffe Peninsula, Springfield, Ipswich/Rosewood and Cleveland lines.

December 27-29: Impacts inner city, Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Ferny Grove, Cleveland, Doomben, Airport, Shorncliffe, Sunshine Coast/Caboolture, Redcliffe Peninsula, Springfield and Ipswich/Rosewood lines.

December 30: Impacts Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Ferny Grove, Cleveland, Doomben, Airport, Sunshine Coast/Caboolture, Shorncliffe, Redcliffe Peninsula, Springfield and Ipswich/Rosewood lines.

December 31 and January 1: Impacts Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Ferny Grove and Airport lines.

January 2-5 and 8-12: Impacts Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Ferny Grove, Doomben, Airport, Shorncliffe, Sunshine Coast/Caboolture, Redcliffe Peninsula Springfield, Ipswich/Rosewood and Cleveland lines.

January 6-7, 13-14: Impacts Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Doomben, Airport, Sunshine Coast/Caboolture, Ferny Grove, Shorncliffe, Redcliffe Peninsula, Springfield, Ipswich/Rosewood and Cleveland lines.

January 15-18: Impacts Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Airport and Ferny Grove lines.

Cross River Rail has a Travel Checker service at crossriverrail.qld.gov.au and anyone with a journey to plan is encouraged download the MyTranslink app, visit translink.com.au or call 131 230.