First station completed as part of $988m Moreton Bay Rail project
The Australian and Queensland governments last week said the $988 million Moreton Bay Rail project is well on track to completion, following the official unveiling of the first station at Mango Hill.
Federal Minister for Major Projects Paul Fletcher together with Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Mayor Allan Sutherland visited the station on Wednesday, which is the first of six stations to be completed on the new line.
“The Moreton Bay Rail project once completed will deliver a new double-track passenger rail to Kippa-Ring, connecting to the existing North Coast line,” Mr Fletcher said.
“The architecturally designed station features two platforms with passenger shelters and seating, lift towers and a raised pedestrian footbridge, as well as an open bike shelter.
“When the project is complete, Mango Hill station will provide the local community in the growing North Lakes area with easy access to an outstanding public transport network.”
Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Jackie Trad said that, in addition, construction of a 12-kilometre dedicated shared pathway adjacent to the new line between Petrie and Kippa-Ring is now complete.
“The pathway’s design ensures easy access for all who use it to the region’s existing shared pathway network,” Ms Trad said.
“Whether it’s used recreationally or for commuting, the shared pathway is a huge bonus for residents.
“The completion of Mango Hill station and the shared pathway brings the region’s biggest public infrastructure project in more than a generation another step closer to completion.”
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland said the delivery of Mango Hill station and the shared pathway demonstrated that work on the Moreton Bay Rail project was on the home stretch.
“With new bridges, roads and pathways, the benefits of the Moreton Bay Rail project for our region extend well beyond the 12.6 kilometres of dual track and six new stations,” Mayor Sutherland said.
The shared pathway and stations will be opened to coincide with completion of the rail line in mid-2016.
The Australian Government is contributing $583 million to the project, the Queensland Government $300 million and the Moreton Bay Regional Council $105 million.
Source: News Release, Urbanalyst, 10 November, 2015