RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Crossovers could be temporary for construction operations. Just when you thought some planning had actually been done

Daylight savings doesn't have anything to do with how crap the xpt is in transiting through Queensland. Either it departs brisbane before or after peak. Not during it. Second problem it has is that it hits peak freight if it departs after morning peak. Due to the length of the trip you also have legs inbetween which may or may not be better suited (similar to the tilt trains here). Either leave Sydney later to arrive in brisbane during peak or slow the xpt down and increase its Sydney-Brisbane transit time. Or here's a tip. Buy more rollingstock and increase the frequency. You are always going to have pitfalls somewhere if you have limited services.

Couriermail --> State government considers shopping, dining opportunities for Cross River Rail stations $

QuoteNew retail and hospitality precincts could be introduced at Cross River Rail's underground stations as part of the major transformation of the sites ahead of the 2023 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Cross River Rail stations at Woolloongabba and Albert Street are set to open in 2025 – and now the government has confirmed they are considering dining and shopping opportunities for the precincts.

At the Gabba, these opportunities could include both retail and hospitality businesses which would be located above and underground the station opposite what will become the 2032 Games stadium. ...

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1613532306509299714

Quote from: aldonius on January 12, 2023, 16:51:00 PMAOB - I'm not sure if it's possible to convert P3 and P4 at Central like it is at Roma St.

If it *is* possible, though, then that would be brilliant.

That's true, I imagine the various structural things holding up Central and the hotel would cause a major headache.

Quote from: AOB on January 13, 2023, 01:35:42 AMThat's true, I imagine the various structural things holding up Central and the hotel would cause a major headache.

Not just that, the road overpass to the northeast.

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/96966

Roma Street hits ground level in latest Cross River Rail milestone
18th January 2023

JOINT STATEMENT

Acting Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
The Honourable Dr Steven Miles

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Construction works in the 20-metre-deep station box at Cross River Rail's Roma Street site have reached ground level, marking the mega project's latest milestone.

Acting Premier Steven Miles said the progress was equivalent to a six-storey building being constructed below ground, with crews using 7,520 cubic metres of concrete and 14,700 tonnes of steel in the station box so far.

"Right now the ground level looks like a concrete slab, but it is the work beneath it which makes the milestone so impressive," Mr Miles said.

"The station box will house the lifts and escalators customers will use on their way down to the underground platforms.

"Roma Street station will become our state's single most significant transport interchange, so it's exciting to see the significant progress underway."

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said progress would become more visible during 2023, with around 150 workers on site.

"Construction is continuing on the station box's back-of-house structure, which will start rising out of the ground early this year," Mr Bailey said.

"Piling works will also commence shortly ahead of installation of structural steel for the station's canopy towards the middle of the year.

"When the canopy is complete, it will rise approximately 23 metres above ground level.

"As all of this work takes place, it will mean changes throughout the year to access for customers using the existing Roma Street station, with details to be made available well in advance."

Member for McConnel Grace Grace said works were also progressing well in Roma Street's 280-metre-long station cavern, with about 13,100 cubic metres of concrete and 1,800 tonnes of steel used to complete its permanent lining.

"This is just one of four underground stations under construction and one of more than 15 separate sites where work is currently underway to deliver this transformational project," Ms Grace said.

"We're not just building Cross River Rail – we're building a new network.

"Over the next four years we're investing over $7.1 billion into Queensland's rail network, making rail a much better option for people all over the state."

  Roma Street fast facts

. Construction in the 20-metre-deep Roma Street station box has now reached the surface – or L0 – level.
. 7,520 cubic metres of concrete and 14,700 tonnes of steel has been installed in the station box so far.
. The station box will house the main station, which will rise 23 metres above ground level, and the lift and escalators that will transport people to platform level.
. The new Roma Street station platforms will be about 220-metres long and sit up to 27 metres below the ground.
. More than 46,000 people are expected to use the new Roma Street station each weekday by 2036.
ENDS

Dewiring of the eastern yard started earlythis morning for the new overpass to Bowen hills that has also been brought in.

It is interesting to contemplate what level of timetable planning has been done so far for the post-CRR era.

Some modelling must have been done for the CRR Authority to state on its website that, after CRR opens, morning peak trains headed to Brisbane will depart every 15 minutes from Nambour, Rosewood and Beenleigh; every 5 mins. on the Gold Coast Line, also from Springfield and Caboolture; every 5.5 min. from Manly on the Cleveland Line; every 6 min. from Loganlea and every 7.5 min. on average from Ferny Grove.

I read:

5 minutes on average from Gold Coast, Springfield, Ipswich, Redcliffe, Caboolture. For the via-CRR lines I would assume that translates to an even 12tph. For the western lines I guess that implies ETCS2 via the mains pumps that up to being 24tph capable and indeed running at 24tph - quite ambitious.

6 minutes on average from Beenleigh - I would take that as "trains every five minutes, but there are two gaps". They're citing from Loganlea which is currently also an express stop, but since it implies fewer trains than come from the Gold Coast, I figure this is for all-stoppers.
Also since that makes 22 out of 24 trains an hour, it probably implies that Flagstone needs 9 car trains for both it and the Gold Coast line (with the latter copping a frequency reduction) and/or the inner Beenleigh line going back over Merivale.

5.5 minutes on average from Manly - sounds like 11 tph. Given it's paired with the Ferny line, not quite sure yet if that means eight trains at even 7.5 minute frequency plus three extras, or if it's a train usually every five minutes, except there's a gap somewhere.

7.5 minutes on average from Ferny Grove - this is as it is today.

15 minutes from Nambour, Rosewood, Cleveland, Beenleigh - not yet clear which of those are express overlays and which are extensions.

Given our previous meeting on SEQ Rail Connect and the comments around targeting a sustained wider peak than a maximally intense peak, and also the network shown not necessarily being Day 1, I'd... treat what's on the CRR website with a grain of salt.

Updated Station Designs Brisbane Development--->https://brisbanedevelopment.com/a-look-into-the-futuristic-underground-stations-of-cross-river-rail/

I noticed today that tracks are starting to appear at the tunnel entrance on the Normanby side.

Unity Alliance Update 16th February 2023

Construction update Exhibition station - February and March 2023

Quote... Please be advised works will commence this weekend within the rail corridor between Victoria Park and Bowen Hills to switch rail traffic onto the new bridge at Exhibition station. Track work will be continuous day and night shifts from Saturday 18 February to Friday 10 March 2023.

Exhibition station extended track possession - between 2:00am Saturday 18 February to 12:30am Friday 10 March 2023

To enable rail traffic to be switched to the new bridge at Exhibition station, earthworks and track alterations are required during an extended 21 day track possession. During this time work will be continuous day and night shifts and include the following activities:

·         Track demolition and removal

·         Rock excavation and earthworks between Campbell Street, Bowen Hills and Victoria Park, Spring Hill

·         Installation of overhead electrical structures, signalling equipment, cable routes and pits within the rail corridor

·         Track reconstruction

·         Installation of anti-throw screens on both the O'Connell Terrace and Bowen Bridge Road rail bridges. Some traffic detours will be required of a night between 8:00pm to 5:00am for these activities.

During these works you may notice some disruptions such as increased levels of noise, vibration and dust associated with the use of heavy machinery and equipment. ...

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1628869873937043456

Well they have definitely started relaying and realigning the tracks between Exhibition and Normanby. I have been watching the progress this week as I go past on the busway. It is coming along slowly. They had the tamping machines out between Bowen Bridge Road and the wash plant yesterday.

Quote from: Andrew on March 03, 2023, 20:56:53 PMWell they have definitely started relaying and realigning the tracks between Exhibition and Normanby. I have been watching the progress this week as I go past on the busway. It is coming along slowly. They had the tamping machines out between Bowen Bridge Road and the wash plant yesterday.

They're also in the process of ripping up the tracks in the older section of main yard (closest to the main lines) with the OHLE already removed. Also seems like they're close to lifting the new overpass into place on the southern end of Mayne Yard.

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1632251640337289216

Exhibition Cross River Rail Station - Demolition and Construction Update

Brisbanetimes --> Revealed: Brisbane's new city crossroads formed by underground rail

QuoteBrisbane city will have a new crossroads, a new vertical village and a new public space linked to the first new rail station in 120 years.

With Cross River Rail's underground Albert Street Station set to open in 2027, the city heart is expected to shift away from Queen Street Mall. ...

Yeronga Station



https://youtu.be/6HANtpCg4kQ

Brisbanetimes --> Across the CBD in 77 seconds: Brisbane fast-tracks underground network

QuoteRail lines have been connected to Brisbane's new underground stations, 30 metres beneath the surface, as part of a multibillion-dollar revolution in commuter travel.

Cross River Rail will allow for a 77-second, 800-metre train trip between the new Roma Street station and the new Albert Street station, and a two-minute train trip from Albert Street to the new Gabba. ...

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/cost-shocker-cross-river-rail-blows-out-by-960m/news-story/fd761b22f0ba8268edc7ed714168526b

Not surprised with the delay and cost blow outs, it was quite obvious really.

Sadly, it gives them an excuse to delay the start date of other projects.

The cost blowout I'm not surprised about. There's inflationary headwinds that they simply could not avoid.
If GCLR3 blew out to a +$1b project then its impossible that this wasn't going up either.
It's just a surprise they managed to keep a straight face for so long and continued to say "nah nah nah its  in the $6b envelope"

The delay till 2026 sucks though.

What caught my attention was this:

About $848m of the extra money is needed for rising costs, while another $112m is required for new land acquisition at Roma Street.

I wonder what the new land acquisition is all about?

Couriermail --> Cost shocker: Cross River Rail blows out by $960m $

QuoteTaxpayers will fork out an extra $960m for the Palaszczuk government's Cross River Rail project.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey dropped the budget bombshell on Friday, as he also confirmed the start of services will be pushed back from the end of 2025 to the first quarter of 2026.

About $848m of the extra money is needed for rising costs, while another $112m is required for new land acquisition at Roma Street.

The cost increases mean the government will now spend $6.3bn on the mega project - up from the initial budget of $5.4bn.

Mr Bailey said the total increase in government funding to the project was about 17.8 per cent.

He blamed "high impact, low probability impacts" for the overrun, including the Covid-19 pandemic, La Niña weather events, and the war in Ukraine. ..."

What's the betting that Mr Bailey's next media statement will be along the lines of:

"Future planning for railway line extensions to Beaudesert, Ipswich via the Ripley Valley and to Maroochydore from Beerwah will need to be delayed due to an unexpected cost blowout in the CRR project. The money we would have spent on these initiatives has been soaked up by the extra $960 million now needed to open CRR early in 2026.

"Queensland calls on the Australian Government to give this state its fair share of federal infrastructure funding to maintain the momentum of rail line improvements and extensions across SEQ."

Media Release
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Cross River Rail tunnel tracks now complete

31st March 2023

. Track installation completed in all sections of Cross River Rail's tunnels
. Review of unprecedented external pressures on project completed

Underground track installation has been completed along all sections of Cross River Rail's twin tunnels, marking a huge milestones for the transformational project.

Every section of the twin tunnels from Boggo Road in the south to the project's northern portal – 4.7 kilometres in each tunnel or 9.4 kilometres in total – has been installed.

Only the sections within the underground stations themselves and surface connections to the existing rail network are yet to be completed, which it due to take place this year to complete Cross River Rail's alignment.

The focus in the tunnels is now on the electrical and mechanical fit out, including installing power and fire safety mechanisms.

After flagging the project was subject to economy wide cost pressures last year, the government has finalised an assessment of cost and supply chain pressures being experienced across the economy on the Cross River Rail project.

Considered analysis of the unprecedented external pressures impacting major projects globally has found Cross River Rail has weathered economy wide headwinds the best of any mega rail/road project in the nation.

While most projects nationwide and in Brisbane have suffered overall cost increases of between 50% and 80%, the Cross River Rail project has limited project cost increases to 17.8%, the lowest percentage increase of a mega transport project in the nation.

Government funding to deliver Cross River Rail will be increased by $960 million, and will include $112 million which was used towards additional land acquisition in the Roma Street station precinct, bringing the total project cost to $6.3 billion.

These same pressures have also had a minor impact on the timing of the project, with the first revenue services originally expected to commence in 2025 to now start one quarter later.

Quote attributed to Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey:

"This year we're really starting to see Cross River Rail come to life as the project hits milestone after milestone," Mr Bailey said.

"To now have tracks installed in all sections of Cross River Rail's twin tunnels – which will become the arteries of our new rail network – is incredibly exciting, and means this transformational project is yet another step closer to reality.

"At its peak, more than 80 people – including nine apprentices – working day and night shifts were involved in installing track in the tunnels, and the tremendous progress so far is a credit to those workers and the wider Cross River Rail team of more than 3000 workers.

"High impact, low probability impacts including the COVID global pandemic, consecutive La Niña weather events and the war in Ukraine have impacted the supply and costs of materials and labour all at the same time – a scenario no one could reasonably have foreseen ahead of construction in 2019.

"The fact we were able to keep our sites operational during the COVID-19 pandemic, unlike similar projects in other states, meant we have been able to maintain construction momentum and help minimise impacts.

"We've been flagging since August last year Cross River Rail is not immune from the pressures being faced by major infrastructure projects here in Australia and around the world.

"We have done everything possible to mitigate these unavoidable impacts further, including pre-purchasing rail, materials and steel to protect from further price increases and ensure supply.

"At the same time, we've undertaken a rigorous and thorough assessment of cost impacts and conducted some firm and considered negotiations with our major contractors in order to isolate the additional investment required to offset the inevitable impact of these global events.

"While the need for additional funding has been unavoidable, a 17.8% per cent increase on a mega project like Cross River Rail is significantly lower than the huge increases in costs that we're seeing confirmed on other projects like the Brisbane Metro and projects interstate.

"All we have to do is look down the road at the Brisbane Metro project, which is only a bus project, where the cost has increased by more than 80 per cent.

"The Cross River Rail percentage increase has been less than a quarter of the increase of the Brisbane Metro cost in the same location.

"The Sydney Metro cost has increased by $6 billion.

"It also shows how wildly inaccurate doomsday predictions constantly made by the LNP were, who have been saying regularly the cost increase would be from $2 billion to $12 billion.

"It's important to remember the LNP Newman – Crisafulli Government cut Cross River Rail and it would never have been built if they retained power in 2015.

"The review has seen a new integrated schedule implemented, with first revenue services now expected to commence one quarter later than originally anticipated.

"Everyone involved in bringing Cross River Rail to life – from the Government agencies involved to the contractors building it – have worked closely to set this new schedule, which brings with it a strong sense of unity and certainty moving forward.

"We know from other projects that integrating delivery partners and leaving a suitable and safe period for testing is critical for successful operation.

"This is a complex mega project spanning 17 worksites involving new tunnels, new stations and a new signalling system, which all need to knit back into an existing rail network.

"Two project sites are already complete at Yeronga station and Mayne Yard North with many other sites very advanced.

"Various aspects of delivery have been unavoidably delayed by supply chain issues and escalation, and it makes sense to allow extra time now to make sure that everything works as it should, and operates safely, before passenger services commence."

Fast facts:

. Cross River Rail is a new 10.2 kilometre rail line with 5.9 kilometres of twin tunnels running under the Brisbane CBD, and includes four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street.

. The project is making significant progress across 17 worksites, with over 393 apprentices and trainee opportunities to date, more than 1900 Queensland subcontractors and suppliers benefiting from the project so far, and more than 3000 workers currently delivering the project.

. Recent reviews indicate cost increases include steel (around 42% increase), electrical (around 28%), concrete (around 15%) and precast concrete (around 8%).

. Examples of supply chain impacts include delays for delivery of signal relays (components produced in Ukraine) and concrete and steel fabrication supply issues, with alternative providers having to be sourced.
ENDS

Facebook ...

Quotethe lowest percentage increase of a mega transport project in the nation.

My favorite line

They probably wouldn't have been able to open CRR on time anyway due to the shortfall of trains and crew. Plus they are likely needing the duplication done to Beerwah for operational purposes in line with the commissioning of CRR.

Credit where credit is due - CRR is being built, tracks are laid, and the State paid for it with 100% contribution.

  

In the time it has taken to build Cross River Rail to date..  and it started 12 months after B2N.

not one sleeper has yet been laid on the B2N project.

Let that sink in.

Quote from: verbatim9 on March 31, 2023, 17:51:58 PMThey probably wouldn't have been able to open CRR on time anyway due to the shortfall of trains and crew. Plus they are likely needing the duplication done to Beerwah for operational purposes in line with the commissioning of CRR.

The cause of the delay may also involve getting minor improvements between Kuraby and Beenleigh completed as well.

Ideally for Cross River rail to run optimally you would need at least the Trinder Park section, Loganlea Station and Beenleigh station completed. This can allow for reduced travel times, due to trains being able to travel faster and overtake all stop trains either at Beenleigh or Loganlea, allowing for optimal operations between Beerwah and Varsity lakes.

I think that 3 years is a  reasonable and realistic  timeframe to get Beenleigh, Logan station relocation and Trinder park realignment, as well as the duplication and commissioning from Beerburrum to Beerwah completed?

They will also need to start community feedback midyear regarding the new train features as well, if they want to start rolling out the trains coinciding with the commissioning of CRR. 7 News reported that 2026 is meant to be the year when the first new train on the tracks.