Moreton Bay Rail project on track for completion next year
Moreton Bay residents are a few thousand sleepers closer to connecting with South East Queensland’s rail network, with track laying on the 14-kilometre Moreton Bay Rail project beginning and construction well on track for completion next year.
In a statement last week, Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Jackie Trad said the $988 million Moreton Bay Rail project would provide a critical link to the North Coast line and to South East Queensland’s integrated public transport network.
“Moreton Bay Rail will revolutionise public transport in the area, providing a reliable and fast alternative to driving to the Brisbane central business district that is expected to result in travel time savings of up to 15 minutes during peak periods,” Ms Trad said.
“It will mean better, more efficient options for commuters travelling to and from work in and around the Moreton Bay Region, better access for people travelling to health, education and employment services, and more capacity on our roads for journeys that can’t be taken by train.
“The project will provide a huge economic injection to one of South East Queensland’s fastest-growing regions, helping to attract investment to the area, create business opportunities, and encourage growth along the corridor, with new train stations set to emerge as hubs of development.
“The Queensland Government has committed $300 million to the project, which will support more than 800 jobs during the project’s peak, as well as many more indirect jobs throughout construction.
“Linking with the main North Coast Line at Petrie, the project will connect residents of the region with employment centres and job opportunities locally and in the broader Brisbane area.
“It’s great to see this project really coming to life… we’ve seen tracks being laid, which will use more than 44,000 sleepers and more than 100,000 tonnes of supporting ballast across the 14-kilometre stretch.
“Construction of Murrumba Downs train station—one of six in the project—is almost complete, with the station being built to a modern design that ensures value for money for Queensland’s taxpayers.”
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland said more than 100 years of history had been made on what was the region’s biggest public infrastructure project in more than a generation.
“This is an historic milestone; with 15 percent of the Moreton Bay Rail project’s tracks already laid, there is no denying this rail line isn’t just coming, it’s already here,” Mayor Sutherland said.
“It delivers crucial public transport infrastructure for one of Australia’s fastest growing urban areas which will be home to more than 500,000 residents within the next two decades.
“Moreton Bay Rail is a once-in-a-lifetime investment in our community’s future.”
The Moreton Bay Rail project will deliver 14 kilometres of new dual-track passenger rail line between Lawnton and Kippa-Ring, connecting to the existing North Coast line.
The project is jointly funded by the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Moreton Bay Regional Council.
Source: News Release, Urbanalyst, 28 April 2015