School bus saved from 70km ‘detour’ as bridge closes rail works
A 10km trip to school and shops has turned into a 70km journey for some residents in Logan’s west after a local road bridge was closed to allow works along the proposed Inland Rail line.
Logan
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A 10km trip to school and shops has turned into a 70km journey for some residents in Logan’s west after a local road bridge was closed to allow works along the proposed Inland Rail line.
CALL TO EXPAND INLAND RAIL SOUTH
Plans for the bridge upgrade were announced a week before the closure, catching many residents by surprise and infuriating those forced to add the extra hour trip to their journey.
Tempers flared when parents realised the school bus would not be able to run the 10km between Wyatt Rd and Flagstone State Community College.
Instead, the bus would have to go the long way around via Teviot Rd and Centenary Highway, adding an extra 70km to the trip twice a day.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation, which is overseeing the Inland Rail construction, failed to tell the bus company about the closure.
Park Ridge Transit Company bus network planner Chris Parry said it was not until Logan City councillor Natalie Willcocks stepped in that residents were informed.
“We were not told and instead received a call and email from Cr Natalie Willcocks,” he said.
“Originally, the scheduled work times would have affected our school service as we generally reach Wyatt Rd before 8.30am and after 3.30pm.
“After speaking with Cr Willcocks, the work times were changed to start at 8.30am and finish at 3.30pm so the bus was not affected.”
A break in works at noon every day allowed residents to cross during the 10-day closure originally due to end on Thursday.
Inland Rail Community Consultation Committee member Suz Corbett said she was astounded residents had been kept in the dark after the ARTC promised to share information.
“There was not one word from ARTC and I am furious,” she said.
“Why the hell are they doing any work within the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton line when nothing has been signed off and there is no Environmental Impact Statement yet.
“They are spending our taxpayer dollars even though this section of track has not been approved.”
The ARTC said the bridge closure and upgrade were necessary to keep the rail corridor to Acacia Ridge safe.
A spokesman said Undullah residents were notified of the closure by mail on September 1 and a revised notification with amended closure hours to cater for the school bus was sent out the next day after the ARTC received community feedback.