With tracks already laid, hi-tech progress is continuing deep beneath Brisbane on the next critical phase of works in the Cross River Rail twin tunnels.
About 180 workers are involved in the tunnel fit-out, which includes installing emergency walkways, pipes and hundreds of kilometres of various kinds of cabling to ensure the safe and reliable operation of trains in the tunnels.
So far, work is underway on around 40 per cent of the 10 kilometres of emergency walkways, while 12km of pipes have been installed.
About 18km of feeder cables have been installed to date, which will provide communications coverage through the tunnels, including for mobile phone reception and train signalling equipment.
Hundreds more kilometres of electrical and high-speed fibre optic cables will also be installed, allowing equipment in the tunnels to be installed and operated remotely.
Meanwhile, work is also progressing well on the 16 cross passages that link the twin tunnels, with features such as lights, speakers, cameras, smoke detectors and emergency phones being installed.
The cross passages, which connect Cross River Rail’s parallel train tunnels every 240 metres, are an important safety features that allow people to move from one tunnel to the other in the unlikely event of an emergency.
As the walkway and cable installation moves closer to completion, focus will shift to installation of the overhead electrical system that will supply power to the trains as they travel through the tunnels.
The majority of tunnel fit-out work is expected to be completed in early 2024, which will be followed by extensive testing and commissioning.
Transport minister Mark Bailey said while some people might not realise it’s even happening beneath their feet, the important work currently underway in the tunnels would ensure trains can operate reliably and safely.
“Building a new underground rail line is no simple task, and the efforts underway to bring all these complex systems together is a credit to the hundreds of workers involved,” he said.
“It’s always incredible to see just how much hi-tech progress is being made, and you can really start to get a sense of what Cross River Rail will look like once complete.
“It’s exciting to think that these tunnels will soon make it easier to get around on our rail network, including to our four new underground stations and the year-round station being built at Exhibition.”
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