Rail game changer on the way for Brisbane

Cross River Rail will create a second rail path through Brisbane overcoming a network bottleneck and increasing capacity. FIND OUT HOW.

Cross River Rail is set to pave the way for faster, more frequent train services and improve the reliability and performance of a redesigned South East Queensland network.

The transformational project will create a second rail line through Brisbane CBD and free congestion over the Brisbane River.

Cross River Rail Delivery Authority chief executive Graeme Newton said the project would transform travel across the region not only by providing new high-capacity underground stations in super-convenient locations, but because it would unlock a bottleneck at the core of the rail network.

“The Brisbane River is an iconic part of our city and an integral part of our way of life, but we are a slave to it – it effectively cuts the city in half,” he said.

Jack Strauss, leading hand for fit-out, in front of artwork and escalators at Cross River Rail’s Woolloongabba station. Picture: Liam Kidston

“The river makes public transport – rail in particular – difficult, with a single bridge currently serving as the only inner-city rail crossing.

“The Merivale Bridge is a point of frailty in the heart of the city that can cause cascading delays across the entire network. By building a new underground that goes directly below the river, Cross River Rail essentially delivers heart bypass surgery for the inner-city network.”

The only inner-city rail crossing opened in 1978 and has one track in each direction.

Beyond the bridge, every train travelling north, south, east or west has to pass through Roma Street, Central, Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills meaning any issues in the centre of the network can cause delays across the entire network.

Officials have redesigned the network with Cross River Rail unlocking the bottleneck by adding a second inner-city river crossing, creating increased capacity for services and enabling different travel patterns, servicing new and upgraded stations, and better integration with bus services.

Tunnel work makes progress as part of the Cross River Rail project.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish said Cross River Rail would ensure the rail network met the needs of a growing population well into the future.

“The megaproject will significantly increase capacity at the core of the rail network, which will make rail travel more reliable, encouraging more people out of their cars and onto trains,” he said.

Cross River Rail is scheduled to open in 2026 with the revised network divided into three timetable sectors, which can operate independently through the city centre.

Sector one will create a north-south spine connecting the regions through Cross River Rail’s 5.9km of twin tunnels and new underground stations from the Gold Coast and Beenleigh to the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture and Redcliffe Peninsula.

Sector two will comprise services from Ipswich and Springfield to Doomben, Brisbane Airport and Shorncliffe. Sector three will operate between Ferny Grove and Cleveland.

Brisbane's Merivale Bridge going over the Brisbane River.

Mr Newton said the addition of a second rail path and the shift to a three-sector network was the key to being able to run more trains more often and provide a turn-up-and-go style service on inner-suburban lines such as Cleveland, Shorncliffe or Ferny Grove.

“Meanwhile, on the Ipswich and Gold Coast lines line for example, more express services can be added, to help with the longer distance connections passengers are often making,” he said.

Mr Newton said the increased capacity made a number of announced, and future improvements more viable.

A new world-class signalling system – the European Train Control System (ETCS) – is also being rolled out. The advanced digital signalling system is being installed and tested on the Shorncliffe line.

Key work on track during closures

Critical work on the Cross River Rail project during track closures over the Easter school holidays has been hailed a success.

More than 400 workers were busy across Brisbane’s south and the Gold Coast.

Cross River Rail Delivery Authority chief executive Graeme Newton said the track closures allowed crews to undertake an incredible amount of work safely and efficiently.

“From lifting a massive overpass over train lines, to installing hundreds of metres of new track and kilometres of cables in the rail corridor, this work just isn’t possible when trains are running,” he said.

The overpass at Pimpama station is lifted into place.

“While the work was deliberately scheduled during a quieter part of the year, we do appreciate some people had to change how they got around on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast line.”

Mr Newton thanked everyone for their patience while the critical work was carried out.

“Thank you also to the 400-plus workers who gave up time with loved ones during the festive period to ensure the works were a success,” he said.

“With a project the size and scale of Cross River Rail, these sorts of works will need to be carried out from time to time.”

Work included the installation of platform frames, coping and a new pedestrian bridge at Pimpama station.