SEQIPRAIL Program on track to deliver rail projects

By Jennifer Perry

The program has delivered 63.3 kilometres of track, upgrades to nine metropolitan stations, two new stations and 27 new three-car sets for the South East Queensland passenger network. Three of the four completed projects provide additional capacity on the Gold Coast line.
Receiving around $360 million in the recent Queensland State budget, SEQ Infrastructure’s program director John King told Rail Express that the program is set to deliver 29 new rail projects, 268km of new track and 102 new trains for South East Queensland over the next 18 years.
Current rail projects include the $298 million Caboolture to Beerburrum duplication which involves the construction of two new 13.7 km tracks.
“The project included the construction of two new stations, Elimbah and Beerburrum, which opened in April 2009,” King said.
On target for completion in mid-2009, Queensland Rail (QR) received $62.663 million of State budgetary funding to complete the project.
Scheduled for completion in late 2009, the $324 million Robina to Varsity Lakes Rail Extension project received $97.283 million in the recent State budget and involves the construction of two 4.1 kilometre tracks from Robina to a new station at Varsity Lakes.
“A 300 metre cut and cover tunnel under Easthill Drive, three bridges and modifications to roads are included in the project, and a planning study to investigate options for a 12 kilometre rail extension from south of Varsity Lakes Station to Tugun is also underway,” King said.
Receiving $57 million in the Queensland budget, the current $189 million Corinda to Darra Rail Upgrade involves the construction of two new 5.2 kilometre tracks between Corinda to Darra that will pave the way to the new Springfield line, and the upgrade of Darra and Oxley stations. The project, which will be completed in 2010, received $57 million in the State budget.
“The $800 million Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor (Stage One) is another project that features the construction of a four kilometre dual passenger railway line to a new railway station at Richlands (north of Progress Road), and the duplication of the Centenary Highway north of the Logan Motorway Interchange,” King said.
“Stage One will be completed by 2011, with an allocation of $125 million in the State budget to continue rail works on Stage One of the project.
Another project, the $67.6 million Beerwah Rail Crossing, is a 1.2 kilometre road crossing over the rail line which is designed to improve the local and regional road network. This is expected to be completed in October 2009.
“SEQIPRAIL also received $17.931 million in the State budget for Metropolitan Freight Capacity Enhancements,” King said.
“The project includes concrete re-sleepering works, the construction of a freight bypass road, construction of an unwired fourth railroad and associated works.
“The project also allows for the design of loops at Murrarie and Lytton Junction, and the design and track centre widening for the operation of the 2800 locomotives through the inner city.”
Projects already completed as part of the SEQIPRAIL program include the $20 million Ormeau to Coomera Track Duplication; the $256 million Salisbury to Kuraby Rail Upgrade; the $72 million Helensvale to Robina Track Duplication; and the $46 million Mitchelton to Keperra duplication.
The South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2009-2026 is due to be released shortly.