Transport Minister Rachel Nolan has welcomed the Federal Government’s budget announcement of $20 million for Cross River Rail, a major rail project to improve rail capacity and frequency through the Brisbane CBD.
Ms Nolan said the committed funding would facilitate detailed planning including the selection of a preferred corridor, the preparation of an environmental impact statement and extensive community consultation.”
Ms Nolan said the project, which could cost up to $8.2 billion when completed, would provide a new rail link through the inner city, connecting the North Coast/Caboolture rail line with the Gold Coast/Beenleigh rail line.
“This is a small but important first step for this major project, which is so significant that it will remain a national priority for years to come,” she said.
“This will provide south east Queensland’s rail passengers with more frequent train services, new destinations and modern facilities.
“The proposed network improvements will deliver a more efficient and convenient way of travelling by train with easier, quicker interchanges both between rail services and with other types of transport.
“With more people expected to travel into and through Brisbane’s CBD, by 2026 the inner city will remain the hub of south east Queensland’s rail network.”
The 2008 Inner City Rail Capacity Study indicated that demand for peak train services was forecast to reach between 70,000 and 80,000 people by 2016 and between 105,000 and 130,000 by 2026. The number of existing services would need to double by 2016 and then increase again by half by 2026 to manage this demand.
The study identified two major rail projects, one to link the northern and southern rail lines and a second project to link the northern and western lines to handle the additional service requirements.
Ms Nolan said a project director would soon be appointed for the Cross River Rail project.
“This signature project offers the opportunity to make a mark on the landscape of the inner city, providing its rapidly expanding population with an integrated and innovative transport solution,” she said.
Media contact: 3237 1111
Other languages