LUCAS: EXTRA TRACK FOR FERNY GROVE COMMUTERS

One of the busiest lines in QR's Citytrain network is set to undergo a $31.5 million upgrade to duplicate the existing single track between Mitchelton and Keperra.

Transport Minister Paul Lucas said the track duplication along the Ferny Grove rail line will provide extra capacity and reliability for the new services that are due to come online.

"In the past year, 4.6 million passengers have used the Ferny Grove line," Mr Lucas said.

"This is a growth area in suburban Brisbane, so we must take steps to cater for that growth.

"The Beattie Government will spend $31.5 million to duplicate the 2.5 kilometres of track between Mitchelton, Oxford Park, Grovely and Keperra stations.

"The works will include construction of noise barriers, three additional rail bridges and a new side platform at Grovely station.

"Existing station car parks that are impacted by the new track requirements will be replaced as part of the project.

"All of the upgrading works are expected to be accommodated within the existing rail corridor."

Mr Lucas said the works were necessary so that the Ferny Grove line could support new rollingstock promised under the Beattie Government's $742.2 million Metropolitan Track and Rollingstock Implementation Program (MetTRIP).

$400 million from the Smart State Building Fund was announced in October last year for the first stage of the program.

The $31.5 million for Ferny Grove track works is part of the remaining additional $342.2 million for MetTRIP Stage two network infrastructure, announced as part of the 2004/05 State Budget.

In the first stage of the program, an existing 3-car peak period train will be upgraded to a 6-car train.

This will provide an extra 245 seats per day in the morning peak period.

In the second stage, two extra 6-car trains will be provided in the peak periods to cater for ongoing growth, which will provide an extra 980 seats per day in the morning peak period.

Mr Lucas said the Ferny Grove line track upgrades and additional services will be delivered by 2008/09.

Media contact: Alison Smith 3237 1947 / 0407 166 084