CONSTRUCTION OF THE CROSS RIVER RAIL
18 Sep 2017
Construction has begun on the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project in Brisbane, a project poised to transform the South-East Queensland transport network and inspire further development in the city.
Set to transform the city of Brisbane and its surrounds, the Cross River Rail project broke ground late August, marking the start of a $5.4 billion investment in the future of the Queensland capital.
Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, reports that initial heavy works have now commenced on the 5.9km tunnel of the Cross River Rail, which will facilitate the connection from Dutton Park all the way to Roma Street station, as it spans under the Brisbane River.
Bore drilling is anticipated to begin at the Woolloongabba site by the end of September 2017, with the recent industry briefing providing a project update for stakeholders, regarding major stages of work.
The 10.2 km Cross River Rail is expected to create 1500 jobs each year until the project’s estimated completion in 2024. The railway line will record a depth of around 28.5 metres under the riverbed, reaching its deepest point of 33 metres beneath the city as it runs between Albert and Roma Street.
Part of the immense project includes the development of four new train stations located in Dutton Park, Woolloongabba, Albert and Roma streets in the city, as well as the RNA Showgrounds in Bowen Hills.
In conjunction with the major transport upgrade, many areas are expected to see an increase in development. Several stakeholders have announced that metro stations, public spaces and recreational facilities will be made a possibility with greater access to and from these sites soon to be available.
AEG Ogden chief executive Harvey Lister has big plans for the Roma St, with a $2.5 billion entertainment and education precinct on the cards. The precinct will include an arena as part of the $944 million metro transformation into a grand central interchange of buses and trains.
