Start of construction for the Keperra to Ferny Grove Rail Upgrade

Construction of the $100 million Keperra to Ferny Grove Rail Upgrade will begin next month.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan today turned the ceremonial first sod to mark the start of the major

upgrade.

“The Bligh Government is proud to be delivering this project to the people in Brisbane’s North West,” Ms

Nolan said.

“The $100 million upgrade involves duplicating the rail line between Keperra and Ferny Grove, upgrading

Ferny Grove train station, providing more car parking and bicycle storage and ultimately providing better

transport options for the region.”

Local Member Geoff Wilson said this was excellent news for the Ferny Grove electorate.

“This means better station facilities and greater rail infrastructure for our community,” Mr Wilson said.

“The major upgrade will ensure that public transport within the Ferny Grove region meets our

requirements well into the future.

“The project will create 640 jobs and will start with building a temporary platform at Ferny Grove station,

adjacent to the existing platform on the Samford Road side of the car park.

“This temporary platform will ensure that rail operations are not disrupted by construction work, however

it does unfortunately mean a temporary loss of some car spaces.

“Rail operations will switch to the temporary platform in April 2011, to allow construction of the new

platform and new station building to progress.”

Ms Nolan said a number of other changes would be necessary to make way for the major upgrade.

“Bike lockers will be relocated opposite the temporary platform and access within the car park will

change to provide new entry points in early January,” she said.

“Unfortunately tree clearing is necessary and has begun with further shrubbery, a gum tree and old fig

tree in Conavalla Street to be removed in January, to make way for the new track, bus interchange and

new cabling works.

“According to the arborist’s report, the fig tree is in poor condition and had a limited life span.

“As there is not a great deal of room to reinstate vegetation within the project footprint, the State

Government is keen to work with local environmental groups to sponsor and facilitate local landscaping ventures.”

The State Government will also seek community input for landscaping the new station area.

The Keperra to Ferny Grove Rail Upgrade is part of the Queensland Government’s South East

Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2010-2031, to provide the necessary infrastructure to

manage growth and improve access to services and facilities throughout South East Queensland.