With Cross River Rail well underway, the 20km section of rail line between Kuraby and Beenleigh (the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project corridor) is the next critical Queensland bottleneck to unlock, to provide more frequent rail services in the future.
Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail will double track capacity to allow more of the state’s fastest express trains to run freely with more all-stops services.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said Queensland was Australia’s “growth state”, with 2000 people moving there every week.
“We need a world-class transport system to support our growing population and to get ready for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he said.
Currently, all services on the Gold Coast and Beenleigh line are constrained by single tracks in each direction between Kuraby and Beenleigh.
“Increasing the number of tracks from two to four and allowing the free movement of both all-stops and express trains, more of our fastest services can run more frequently and more reliably,” Bailey said.
“One in five Queenslanders live with a disability and this- project will improve train station accessibility by upgrading stations between Kuraby and Beenleigh (including Loganlea, funded separately), remove five level crossings, increase park ‘n’ ride spaces, and providing a new active travel path connecting to stations along the 20km section of upgraded tracks.”
Procurement and consultation activities are well underway with the current round of community consultation open until December 10, 2023.
“We are committed to delivering the projects that will transform our state, from massive projects along the Bruce Highway, including the Gympie Bypass and the Rocky Ring Road, to upgrades along the M1 that will ease congestion and improve safety,” Bailey said.
“We have a forward plan of significant road, rail and public transport projects that will deliver a lasting legacy for Queenslanders.
“This project, like many major infrastructure projects across the world, has been subject to cost escalations which have seen the confirmed estimate increase to $5.75 billion.”
