Funding for a European Train Control System (ETCS) will kick off more than half a billion dollars of More than half a billion dollars of commitments over the next eight years “to pave way for Cross River Rail,” Queensland’s Palaszczuk Government has announced.
A $634 million funding announcement was included in last week’s state budget to fund the new rail signaling system, which the state believes is a critical first step to building Cross River Rail, an underground rail tunnel through the Brisbane CBD.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the investment in a new ETCS “would lay the foundation” for Cross River Rail.
“The Palaszczuk Government is investing in this project as an essential first step to delivering Cross River Rail – our number one infrastructure priority,” she said.
“The new European Train Control System, subject to final approvals, will boost inner-city rail capacity by 20% and allow an extra 12,000 people through the CBD each peak period.”
The state also announced a $50 million package to establish a Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, which will oversee planning and delivery of the project.
“This funding announcement is a clear commitment to Queenslanders that we are serious about delivering this crucial infrastructure project to ease congestion and unlock the economic potential of our state,” Palaszczuk said.
Deputy premier and infrastructure minister Jackie Trad said once finalised, the updated business case for Cross River Rail would be given to Infrastructure Australia “to make the urgent case for Federal Government funding”.
“Queensland cannot afford to delay Cross River Rail,” Trad said.
“This announcement of establishment funding for a Delivery Authority sends a clear message to private enterprise, the Federal Government and local councils in South East Queensland that we’re going to forge ahead and it’s time for them get on board,” she argued.
“The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority will be able to commence early works on the project including gaining environmental impact approvals, scoping of value share opportunities and commencing appropriate procurement activities.”
Treasurer Curtis Pitt said the new ETCS would allow an extra 21 million commuters to move through the CBD by rail each year.
“The signalling system to be installed between Milton and Northgate stations will unlock urgently needed rail capacity through Brisbane’s CBD and support on average 120 jobs per year over the eight year implementation period,” he said.
“ETCS will completely modernise the inner city rail network, with state-of-the-art technology set to increase capacity, maximise rail safety and allow us to safely run trains closer together.”
Transport minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the system would tackle Brisbane’s key rail bottleneck, which sees every passenger train on the South East Queensland City network merge into a single corridor through the CBD, stopping at Roma Street, Central, Bowen Hills and Fortitude Valley stations.
“This new system will allow trains to move far more quickly through this bottleneck,” Hinchliffe said.
“The signalling technology will support safety through the inner-city, by providing an automatic braking system, ensuring a safe distance between trains and allowing them to travel closer together.”
Hinchliffe says rail demand will double in Brisbane by 2026, and triple by 2036.
“The new signalling system will revolutionise the way we are using our existing rail infrastructure, making it work harder and smarter, while increasing safety,” he said.
“This project will be delivered entirely by Queensland Rail and will bridge the looming capacity gap in our transport network.”