Queensland Rail wants to hear from customers to help design the best alternatives for travel, while train stations temporarily close for important upgrades.
As part of the Government’s Big Build, this year’s budget allocated close to $300 million towards five station accessibility upgrades on the Queensland Rail network, including Lindum, Morningside and Banyo Stations.
In addition, Queensland Rail has now also finalised arrangements for a full accessibility upgrade for Buranda station, with an estimated cost of $70 million.
Station platforms will be raised to bring the platform and train door closer together, reducing the gap to make boarding safer and easier.
Customers in wheelchairs, with walking frames, parents with prams and people with luggage will also be able to catch a lift to a station overpass and then onto platforms which is a great accessibility outcome.
Other improvements include upgraded customer facilities like accessible toilets, disability-compliant ticket windows, improved seating and extended platform shelters.
The operator is also installing hearing augmentation loops, tactile floor indicators, new wayfinding signage, information screens and better security through CCTV and lighting upgrades.
Other customer benefits include updated security cameras with improved bicycle storage facilities at Banyo, Lindum and Morningside.
In order to expedite the upgrades, the stations will temporarily close during construction and Queensland Rail wants to consult with customers about alternative travel arrangements.
Queensland Rail has launched a survey, which asks customers directly about their travel patterns and how best they can be supported when their station upgrade is progressing from January next year.
A construction contract for major works has now been awarded to Laing O’Rourke for Morningside, Banyo, Buranda and Lindum stations.
Already activity has begun at the four stations. Enabling works are underway at Lindum and Buranda stations and customers will see site establishment in the coming months. Geotechnical activities and overhead line and service location works have already been carried out at Morningside station. Customers will see piling, signalling construction and site establishment soon.
Similar works are also underway at Banyo station with survey activities and associated platform works to continue in the coming weeks, including the removal of the heritage shelter currently on platform 1.
Lindum, Morningside and Banyo customers can look forward to the station reopening throughout the second half of 2024, pending construction and weather conditions and Buranda station will be ready for customers in mid-2025.
The projects are all part of the rail revolution occurring across the South East with Cross River Rail and 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games preparation underway.
Customers can fill in the survey here.
Background
- Since 2017, Queensland Rail has completed 12 full station upgrades including at Alderley, Newmarket, Graceville, Nambour, Dinmore, Morayfield, Boondall, Strathpine, East Ipswich, Dakabin, Cannon Hill and Auchenflower. Southbank Platform 1 was also completed in November 2022.
- As part of the Station Accessibility Upgrade Program upgrades will be delivered at Bundamba, Lindum, Morningside, Buranda, Banyo, and Burpengary stations.
- As part of the Cross River Rail project, Dutton Park to Salisbury stations on the southside, and Exhibition station in Brisbane’s Inner City, are at various stages of upgrades from main construction to concept and planning. The project will also see three new, fully accessible stations built on the Gold Coast line at Pimpama, Merrimac and Hope Island.
- Stations along the 20km Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail corridor (Kuraby to Beenleigh) will be upgraded to improve accessibility and amenity for all customers.
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