Track laying starts on the new rail line to Richlands

Track laying has commenced on a new railway line that will extend rail services beyond the upgraded Darra railway station to a new station at Richlands by 2011 and on to Springfield by 2013.

Construction of the 14.5 kilometre line will start at a junction with the Ipswich line (west of Darra) and continue all the way to Springfield by 2013, two years ahead of schedule.

In June Premier Anna Bligh announced in the State budget that the 10 kilometre section of the line from Richlands to Springfield would be brought forward by two years.

“Track construction as far as Richlands is expected to take around five months and will be followed by communications and signals testing as well as driver training,” said Ms Bligh.

“We will see trains running to Richlands for the first time in the first half of 2011. The project will then continue immediately to extend the rail from Richlands to Springfield.

“We expect the Springfield line to be open by 2013, giving 18,000 residents access to world class public transport two years ahead of schedule.”

Ms Bligh said the Springfield rail line would include a new station near the Orion Shopping Centre with an integrated bus and rail interchange facility, enabling commuters to easily switch between rail and bus.

“With the Darra to Springfield rail line, the government is making a total investment of more than one billion dollars to bring rail infrastructure to Springfield,” she said.

“Part of our Growth Management plan in Queensland is to ensure public transport keeps pace with the rapid population growth in Brisbane’s western corridor region and this project is an essential part of that.”

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said that QR and TransLink were currently conducting a review of timetables on the Ipswich and Caboolture lines to utilise the State Government’s new infrastructure

“Community consultation on the new timetables will take place later this year with the aim to implement the timetable in the first half of 2011, “she said.

The Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor project is the first integrated road and rail project for South East Queensland.

State Member for Inala and Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs, Annastacia Palaszczuk said approximately 80 per cent of construction work on the first stage of the project to Richlands was now complete.

“The Richlands station building is structurally complete and is well equipped to cater for people with a disability, with lift access to the platform and seven car spaces for people with a disability located in the 650-space car park,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Cyclists and pedestrians can access the station along the 5.6 kilometre shared access path that runs adjacent to the station building. Secure storage facilities for bicycles including lockers, racks and cages are available, offering passengers alternatives to using their cars to travel to the station,” she said.

Stage 1 of the Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor project includes constructing a passenger railway line from Darra to a new station at Richlands and upgrading the Centenary Highway from two to four lanes to north Logan Motorway interchange.

The project is part of the Queensland Government’s $124 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2009-2026.

For more information on the project, please call 1800 887 464 (freecall), email info@horizon.incite.com.au or visit www.qr.com.au/seqip

Contact 07 32244500