Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations The Honourable John Mickel
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Major rail and road infrastructure on track for delivery
Around $1 billion will be injected into new rail and road infrastructure
in the boom western corridor of south east Queensland, Minister for
Transport John Mickel announced today.
Mr Mickel said work included an upgrade of the Ipswich rail line between
Corinda and Darra, a new rail line between Darra and Springfield and
duplication of the adjacent Centenary Highway.
“This is about planning for the state’s growth and building on
Queensland’s future,’’ Mr Mickel said.
“The project includes the first new urban rail line to be built in the
past decade and forms part of the Queensland Government’s $82 billion,
20-year infrastructure plan to manage growth.
“Our aim here is to provide smart, innovative road and rail transport
solutions now and for the future,’’ Mr Mickel said.
The first part of the upgrade will begin immediately while the rest of
the project will start in the second quarter of 2008.
“The $189 million Corinda to Darra Third Track project is the first in a
series of projects to improve rail services in the west, increasing rail
capacity for trains and improving rail service reliability for
passengers,” Mr Mickel said.
"The construction of a 5.2 km new track alongside the existing two tracks
will be completed by the TrackStar Alliance, which includes QR limited.
"The project is expected to be completed by early 2010 and will include
upgrades to Oxley and Darra stations with new facilities including
shelters, lighting and security cameras, additional secure bike lockers
and car parks, and improved access arrangements for passengers with
disabilities.
“Early works started last month, including setting up the main site
office near Corinda station and earthworks in the existing rail corridor
and near the Cardiff Road bridge in Darra.”
Mr Mickel said work on the rail line between Darra and Richlands and
duplication of the Centenary Highway to four lanes to the Logan Motorway
interchange would begin in May. The project is being completed by the
Horizon Alliance, which includes QR limited.
He said it was expected the rail line and the duplicated highway to the
Logan Motorway interchange would be operational in 2011.
"The rest of the project, which involves the continuation of the rail
line to a new station at Springfield and duplication of the road through
to Springfield, is planned for completion by 2015,’’ Mr Mickel said.
"This western corridor is significant for the planned development of
South East Queensland and timely infrastructure is essential to support
expected population growth.
"The Greater Springfield area has a population of 15,000 which is
expected to reach up to 120,000 in the next 15 to 20 years. This is on
top of the growth in communities such as Richlands, Inala, Forest Lake
and Camira.
"This rail line will support the government’s public transport strategy
for the area and generate new jobs, economic growth and significant
investment in infrastructure and services as well as supporting Greater
Springfield as an economic destination in its own right."
Mr Mickel said the Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor project was
the first large-scale project in Queensland to deliver integrated road
and rail infrastructure.
“Constructing the road and rail at the same time will save time,
minimising disruption to residents and road users during the construction
period,’’ he said.
The road component of the project will continue duplication of the
Centenary Highway from the new four-lane motorway link under the Boundary
Road overpass initially to the Logan Motorway interchange and then in
later stages through to Springfield.
Duplication of the Centenary Highway to Logan Motorway will help ease
congestion in this western corridor and dovetail with planned
improvements to interlinking road networks.
Minister for Main Roads Warren Pitt said the road component of the
project will continue duplication of the Centenary Highway from the new
four-lane motorway link under the Boundary Road overpass initially to the
Logan Motorway interchange and then in later stages through to
Springfield.
“Duplication of the Centenary Highway to Logan Motorway will help ease
congestion in this western corridor and dovetail with planned
improvements to interlinking road networks,” Mr Pitt said.
Member for Inala Annastacia Palaszczuk said she welcomed the upgrade
announcement.
“The completion of road works to the Logan Motorway interchange and the
dual rail line from Darra to a rail station at Richlands mark the initial
stage of the Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor project,’’ she said.
The new station at Richlands will be built to the east of the Centenary
Highway between Garden and Progress Roads. It will include a significant
"park 'n' ride" facility for 650 cars, a bus interchange and passenger
drop-off area.
As part of the project, construction of a new pedestrian and cycling
bridge over the Centenary Highway linking Springfield and Springfield
Lakes began in November 2007.
Further information on the Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor
project is available on 1800 887 464, email [email protected] or
visit www.qr.com.au/seqip’’
