- Cross River Rail
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Cross River Rail Overview Status Proposed Locale Brisbane Termini Yeerongpilly
Bowen HillsStations 6 Website www.crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/ Operation Operator(s) QueenslandRail Technical Line length 18 km (11 mi) Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge Cross River Rail is a proposed new underground rail line in Brisbane, Australia. The project involves building a new 18 km railway under the Brisbane River and the Brisbane central business district, creating four new underground inner city stations, and increasing the core capacity of the rail network.[1] According to the Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh the railway will be the largest transport project ever built in Queensland.[2] The project is expected to cost around $8.2 billion.[3]
Contents
Planning
A report titled the 2008 Inner City Rail Capacity Study predicted that the demand for peak train services would double by 2016.[4] Between Salisbury and Dutton Park the existing line is used by freight trains traveling to the Port of Brisbane and a terminal at Acacia Ridge. The expected rise in the number of passengers services will interrupt freight services unless a new line is built. For many years the Merivale Bridge has been the only inner-city rail crossing in Brisbane. By 2016 it is expected to be over capacity, leading the Queensland Government to plan for this project.[5]
Geo-technical surveys, and public consultation began in 2010.[2] Funding for a feasibility study was provided in 2009 by the federal government.[6] A funding submission will be made to the federal government in early 2011 after a detailed environmental impact statement is complete.
Design
The final plans for the project were released on the 11 November 2010. The project includes a 9.8 km tunnel, two new surface stations as well as four new underground stations.[1] Upgrades to Moorooka railway station and Rocklea railway station will also be required.[1] Underground stations will include shops.[6] A maximum of 120,000 passengers will be able to be moved during the morning peak period.[7]
The city station will be built under Albert Street.[5] This station will have two entrances and allow for trains up to 200 m in length.[8] Stations at Woolloongabba and Bowen Hills will be named "The Gabba" and "The Ekka" respectively.[3]
Yeerongpilly was chosen as the southern portal because it had less impact on residents than a tunnel entrance at Fairfield.[9] An entrance here allows trains on the Ipswich railway line to use the tunnel via the Tennyson railway line.[9] It also allows the existing rail yards at Clapham to be used as stable yards, negating the need to build a new storage depot for trains elsewhere.
Construction
Thirty-nine commercial properties will have to be resumed for the project, including the Royal on the Park hotel[10] and another nine properties in the central business district.[8] One hundred and five residential properties at Yeerongpilly will have to be resumed for the expansion of the Yeerongpilly railway station.[3]
Due to the reconstruction costs of the 2010–2011 Queensland floods this rail project will be delayed by at least two years.[11]
See also
- Rail transport in South East Queensland
- Transport in Brisbane
References
- ^ a b c "About the project". Department of Transport and Main Roads. 11 November 2010. http://www.crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62&Itemid=77. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ a b Anna Bligh & Rachel Nolan (24 March 2010). "Major Milestone reached for Cross River Rail project". Ministerial Media Statements. Department of the Premier and Cabinet. http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=69049. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ a b c Ursula Heger (11 November 2010). "Iconic Royal on the Park Hotel to be bulldozed for Brisbane Cross River underground rail". The Courier-Mail (Queensland Newspapers). http://www.couriermail.com.au/property/iconic-royal-on-the-park-hotel-to-be-bulldozed-for-brisbane-cross-river-underground-rail/story-e6frequ6-1225951887968. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ "Cross River Rail key to city's transport future". TransLink Transit Authority. 12 May 2009. http://www.translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/media-releases/release/79. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ a b Tony Moore (13 July 2010). "Brisbane CBD's new underground station revealed". Brisbane Times (Fairfax Media). http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-cbds-new-underground-station-revealed-20100713-108l8.html?autostart=1. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ a b Tony Moore (24 March 2010). "Underground shops 'could fund new Brisbane rail tunnel'". Brisbane Times (Fairfax Media). http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/underground-shops-could-fund-new-brisbane-rail-tunnel-20100324-qv6g.html. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ "First underground train station for Brisbane". RailStaff Publications Limited. 13 July 2010. http://rail-news.com/2010/07/13/first-underground-train-station-for-brisbane/. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
- ^ a b Tony Moore (11 November 2010). "Major hotel to make way for cross river rail". Brisbane Times. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/major-hotel-to-make-way-for-cross-river-rail-20101111-17ojm.html. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ a b Tony Moore (15 September 2010). "Rail line to wipe out 66 properties". Brisbane Times (Fairfax Media). http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/rail-line-to-wipe-out-66-properties-20100915-15bhy.html. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ "New Brisbane cross-river rail details released". ABC News Online (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 11 November 2010. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/11/3063538.htm. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ Daniel Hurst (28 January 2011). "Underground rail buried". Brisbane Times (Fairfax Media). http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/underground-rail-buried-20110128-1a7n9.html. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
External links
Categories:- Brisbane railway lines
- Public transport in Brisbane
- Proposed public transport in Australia
- Proposed tunnels
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