AusRAIL, Market Sectors

Southeast Queensland rail improvements back on track

<p>Attempts to relieve rail bottlenecks in southeast Queensland have moved a step closer, after the Queensland Government appointed constructors Thiess United Group to oversee about $665m worth of rail upgrades.</p> <p>The group, a joint venture of Thiess and United Group Infrastructure, will develop four projects over the next six years.</p> <p>Queensland transport minister Paul Lucas said the government needed to continue planning for a projected population boom in southeast Queensland.</p> <p>&#8220This is a significant step and represents the State Government’s biggest investment ever in the future of rail in southeast Queensland,&#8221 he said.</p> <p>&#8220[It&#93 will result in a massive increase in capacity and better accessibility to the rapidly growing southeast Queensland rail corridors.&#8221</p> <p>About $6bn has been allocated to developing southeast Queensland’s rail over the next 20 years, as part of a wider infrastructure plan announced in April last year.</p> <p>Most of the work involves straightening, and duplicating existing rail lines to accommodate greater demand for both passenger and freight services.</p> <p>About $480m has been allocated for track duplication between Caboolture and Landsborough, on the eastern line between Brisbane and Gladstone.</p> <p>The work also includes $110m for a freight bypass between Corinda and Darra and $75m for extensions to the Robina-to-Reedy Creek line. </p> <p>The government will now search for a designer for the projects, with a decision expected by the end of May. </p> <br />