RAIL - Back On Track Forum

We need to move away from doing what is easy for TMR/QR to doing what needs to be done.

This is what the rail experience needs to look like. Not some easy & cheap VLSR/LSR that isn't going to pull any pax out of cars.

^ that is my vid that I put up on the RBOT channel as a test.  I hope to be back there (WA) later this year.

I have some more videos and photos I can pass on if you like 👍

I would recommend travelling on the circle route bus if you can and visiting the bus port which is the Perth version of QSBS.

There is even a train on Rottnest island.

Quote from: #Metro on March 07, 2023, 09:59:27 AMI have some more videos and photos I can pass on if you like 👍

I would recommend travelling on the circle route bus if you can and visiting the bus port which is the Perth version of QSBS.

There is even a train on Rottnest island.

Yes please.  I was heading out to Rottnest last time I was in Perth but winds cancelled the trip.

A lot to catch up on in Perth.  Looking forward to it.

Some feedback received from a keen observer. I think the estimates are spot on. 

The new timetable will allow 2 minutes for each additional station with the new timetable when the three stations are added in is my guess. 

Thanks for the feedback.

QuoteI have seen the discussion taking place on the RBOT forum regarding potential time savings of running express services on the GC line.

A few rough calculations to help with this -

Distance Beenleigh to Varsity Lakes = 52km approx.
Current time taken = 31min
Ave speed = 100km/hr
Number of stops = 5

The max speed of current trains are 140km/hr, although Faster Rail supposedly will allow 160km/hr. Going with 140km/hr -

Time an express train would take between Varsity Lakes and Beenleigh = 22min

5 stops add 9 min to the current travelling time = 1.8min / stop

Looking to the future with 14 potential stations at -

Stapylton / Yatala, Ormeau, Pimpama, Coomera, Hope Island, Helensvale, Parkwood, Nerang, Merrimac, Robina, Varsity Lakes, Tallebudgera, Elanora and Tugun (extending into the Airport is extremely difficult with the tunnelling, more than 1km, required under the runway given the soil and groundwater conditions so I'm leaving it out of calculations)

13 stops along the route will add an additional 23.4min to the travel time between Tugun and Beenleigh (64km).

A fully express service at 140km/hr could be expected to take 27min, so an all stop service would take 50.4 min.

Realistically, I would imagine "express services" would stop at Robina, Helensvale (or Parkwood depending on if the interchange with light rail changed) and Coomera so it would take 32.4 min.

An express service would be 18 min quicker from Tugun than an all stop service.

Daaaaamn those are some juicy insider factoids!

Learnt some new things from that.

- Planned infill stations at Yatala and Parkwood
- Plans to somehow get up to 160kph running
-Tunneling under the runway to the airport supposedly difficult (even though part of the tunnel is kinda already there?)

The potential stations are well known and can be seen on the SPP mapping system.
https://spp.dsdip.esriaustraliaonline.com.au/geoviewer/map/planmaking

Go to Infrastructure>Transport Infrastructure>Future Public Transport Passenger Facility.

Strangley, Parkwood has been taken off the map.
The Yatala station is marked where Ormeau station "should" have been on Eggersdorf Rd.

" ... A roof slab has already been put in place for this rail tunnel as part of the Tugun Bypass early works. This roof slab allows for the uninterrupted operation of the airport runway while the rail tunnel is constructed at a later date. ... "

From: Robina to Tugun Rail Impact Assessment Study Part B (PDF, 51 kB)
file:///C:/Users/Robert%20Dow/Desktop/robinatotuguniasexecutivesummarypartb%20impact%20assessment%20reportPDF.pdf

Gold Coast Heavy Rail Extension – Varsity Lakes to Gold Coast Airport
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/gold-coast-heavy-rail-extension-varsity-lakes-to-gold-coast-airport

Just a slab, seems the tunnel is yet to be constructed.

Parkwood will most likely never be built, there's no point in it now the light rail is there.  The Coomera Connector probably also precludes it being built, but as there is no point in it I'm not shedding tears.

I also don't see much point in Tallebudgera - there's just nothing it offers apart from a tiny walkup catchment that you can't get out of Varsity Lakes or Elanora.

The notion the line would only get to Tugun and not the airport is a bit farfetched.

Yo, I am confident the line will go to the GC Airport eventually, but when?   

The stations presently listed south of Varsity Lakes are Tallebudgera, Elanora, Tugun and Gold Coast Airport
( https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/gold-coast-heavy-rail-extension-varsity-lakes-to-gold-coast-airport )

Sent to all outlets:

More transport planning failure manifest

7th March 2023

Good Morning,

We have done some arithmetic and we think each additional station added to the Gold Coast line will add about 2 minutes to the timetable ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=268199 ).  So when the new stations at  Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac are commissioned the train journey time between Varsity Lakes and Beenleigh will be longer, in the order of 5 to 6 minutes .  If the ' Gold Coast Faster Rail ' project is completed (this is the track amplification between Kuraby and Beenleigh from 2 to 4 tracks with the straightening of the track around Trinder Park) a few minutes will be saved but overall the train journey time will not be faster per se. 

As more stations are added to the line with extension to the Gold Coast Airport (planned stations south of Varsity Lakes are Tallebudgera, Elanora, Tugun and Gold Coast Airport  https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/gold-coast-heavy-rail-extension-varsity-lakes-to-gold-coast-airport ) train journey time will in increase at least by another 7 to 8 minutes.  With the possibility of further infill stations on the line the need for some express trains becomes apparent.

It appears no thought has been given to this possibility with the lack of passing lanes at stations or additional sections of track triplication to facilitate express trains passing all station trains on the Gold Coast line south of Beenleigh. Increasingly the Gold Coast railway is being used for local transport on the Gold Coast as well as the longer commute to and from Brisbane.  Squeezing the Coomera Connector right on the rail corridor means this will rule out any further track amplifications on those sections.  In time this could be a major issue. 

Queensland is struggling with the lack of proper long term transport planning.  Here is another example right on Brisbane's door step.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=268077

Facebook ...

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1633241497209540608

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Federal Government decision turns down last-ditch bid to halt Coomera Connector $

QuoteTHE Federal government has thrown out a last-ditch bid to halt construction of stage one of the Coomera Connector.

The decision has been welcomed by Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, who said construction crews are "ready to hit the ground running" on the project.

Campaigners had submitted a request to Federal Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, to reconsider an August 2020 decision allowing the project to proceed as a "controlled action".

Members of the public were invited to comment on the reconsideration request, made under provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

A total of 68 submissions were made by the deadline of last Friday. ...

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1638465811320025092

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/97450

1,000 jobs supported as construction kicks off on Second M1
26th March 2023

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs
The Honourable Meaghan Scanlon

The Coomera Connector (Second M1) is Queensland's biggest single road project

The $2.16 billion project will support 1,000 jobs during construction

Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector will remove 60,000 local daily trips from the M1

Major construction is underway on the 16-kilometre Coomera Connector Stage 1, creating a 'second M1' to remove up to 60,000 local trips a day from the M1 Pacific Motorway, south of Brisbane.

The first sod was turned today, marking the start of main construction on Stage 1 North, between Shipper Drive, Coomera and Helensvale Road, Helensvale.

Early works to prepare for construction have been ongoing since November 2021.

This announcement comes as the Australian Government approved the project's Public Environment Report (PER), giving the green light for the project to progress to major construction.

The report sets out measures to reduce and mitigate the project's impact on the environment, including offsetting and enhancing koala habitats at nearby properties in Pimpama and Tabooba.

The Coomera Connector will change how Gold Coast residents get around and improve journeys between the growing Coomera and Nerang communities.

It will also mean more reliable travel times between Brisbane and the Gold Coast by alleviating congestion on the M1.

A new, 1-kilometre-long, Coomera River bridge crossing is a key feature of the first package, along with a four-metre-wide shared active transport path.

The first stage of the project will be delivered in three construction packages:

. Stage 1 North: Shipper Drive, Coomera to Helensvale Road, Helensvale (now underway)
. Stage 1 Central: Helensvale Road, Helensvale to Smith Street Motorway, Molendinar (expected to start later this year)
. Stage 1 South: Smith Street Motorway, Molendinar to Nerang-Broadbeach Road, Nerang (in design).

The final design for Stage 1 North includes improvements made by contractor Acciona Georgiou Joint Venture (AGJV), such as to the location of the shared path's rest area and upgrades to surrounding local roads at the interchanges.

Construction notices will be distributed as the project progresses, giving residents, motorists and boaties more detail on how and where work will be carried out.

The Second M1 will open progressively from 2025.

The Australian and Queensland governments have each committed $1.08 billion to the $2.16 billion to plan and build Coomera Connector Stage 1 between Coomera and Nerang.

It is estimated to support an average of 1,000 direct jobs over the life of the project.

To keep up to date on progress, and plan journeys to minimise disruption, the community is encouraged to sign up for regular project emails by contacting CoomeraConnector@tmr.qld.gov.au.

For more information, visit https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/coomeraconnector.

Quotes attributable to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:

"This is a critical infrastructure project for the South East as the population of the Gold Coast continues to grow.

"Our Government's support of the Coomera Connector is backing 1,000 local jobs, and a strong pipeline of investment in the region for years to come.

"As one of the fastest growing regions in the country, this vital road project will get Queenslanders home safer and sooner than ever before.

"This investment is on top of the more than $5.5 billion we've already jointly invested upgrading the M1 since 2015."

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

"The Coomera Connector is a boon for southeast Queenslanders – it means less time stuck in traffic and more time spent with loved ones enjoying Queensland's great lifestyle.

"We know congestion is a significant issue for the region – it's a drain on the economy and frustrating for families, which is why we're getting on with delivering this critical piece of infrastructure.

"With major construction can now underway, works will continue to ramp up over the coming months as this new motorway starts to come to life."

Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey:

"Only Labor is backing good jobs and better road projects for the people of the South East.

"From our heavy investment in the M1 and now building the Second M1, Gold Coasters can see just how much we're doing to alleviate congestion.

"As an avid cyclist, I am excited this project includes a shared path running the entire 16-kilometre length, with local road connections – this is a game changer for pedestrians, people with prams, bike riders and those using mobility scooters and wheelchairs, as it gives them opportunities to leave the car at home.

"The Queensland LNP blocked this project when in power and now, the Palaszczuk Government is delivering, because that's what good governments do."

Quotes attributable to Senator for Queensland, Murray Watt:

"The Coomera Connector will make a huge difference for Gold Coast drivers and deliver much-needed congestion relief.

"With more and more people choosing to live and work on the GC, the M1 really cops it, and that daily commute has a big impact on people's lives.

"This project is a prime example of what the Palaszczuk and Albanese Governments can achieve together to deliver for Queenslanders."

Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for the Environment and State Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon:

"Anyone travelling to or from the Gold Coast knows how desperately the Second M1 is needed – that's why I campaigned to get it done.

"From major investments in light rail and M1 upgrades to on-demand transport trials and delivery of the Coomera Connector, it's the Palaszczuk Government building the infrastructure our city needs.

"With our city's population expected to reach close to 800,000 in the next 10 years, we're investing more than $5 billion in road and rail projects across our city."

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/267-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 267
Asked on 28 March 2023

MR M BOOTHMAN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROAD (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to the recent announcement of the commencement of works for the construction
of the Coomera Connector and how the noise of this roadway will impact residents and research
(ref: Domingo Pardo-Quiles https://sciprofiles.com/profile/1044443 2020 et al) regarding the
positive impacts of Single and Double Barrier Caps of different shapes on the reduction of noise
escaping road and rail corridors—
Will the Minister advise if the Department of Transport and Main Roads will consider installing
such sound barriers with Caps along the Helensvale Section of the Coomera Connector?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Theodore for the question.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) manages operational road traffic and
construction noise under the Transport Noise Management Code of Practice (Code). The Code
guides the direction for assessment, design and management of the impact of road traffic noise.
Now that the design for Stage 1 North has been further progressed, TMR is finalising noise
monitoring in this area. The noise monitoring determines baseline noise levels and informs
mitigation measures, including the height, design and placement of noise barriers. While caps
are an option for noise barriers, there are other designs that are more cost effective and require
less maintenance. This will be taken into consideration when determining the most suitable
solution.

https://twitter.com/tamhus8/status/1663182439202848771

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/718-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 718
Asked on 25 May 2023

MR D CRISAFULLI ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS AND MINISTER
FOR DIGITIAL SERVICES (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

Will the Minister advise what measures will be implemented during the construction of the
Coomera Connector to (a) minimise noise, vibration and dust for adjacent residents and (b) the
noise, vibration and dust limits that the constructor will be required to comply with?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Broadwater for the question.

To address concerns regarding noise, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) will
manage operational road traffic and construction noise in accordance with the Transport Noise
Management Code of Practice (the Code). The code provides guidelines for identifying and
assessing noise and vibration impacts from transport infrastructure construction. TMR will ensure
compliance with the code's requirements through an approved Noise and Vibration Monitoring
Plan (NVMP).

Contractors will be responsible for managing their NVMPs and implementing reasonable and
practicable measures to prevent or minimise disturbance from construction noise. The NVMPs
will outline strategies, such as providing intermittent respite from ongoing night-time activities,
monitoring radio communication volume levels during night-time hours, and carrying out noisy
activities such as pile-driving during daytime works wherever possible. TMR will closely monitor
compliance of each NVMP and ensure regular communication with locally affected residents.

TMR designs noise barriers on the basis of objective noise readings on consistent criteria across
the state to ensure equal treatment and has done for twenty years across different governments.
This approach will be no different and will be done on the same basis and entirely separate from
the Minister of the day.

Contractors will be monitoring dust levels and will implement appropriate dust suppression
measures during their construction activities. Fit-for-purpose dust control measures will be
implemented, where feasible, such as:

. considering weather conditions before starting work
. using water trucks frequently to assist with dust suppression
. employing products such as hydromulch or spray on soil stabilisation for large areas
. erecting dust fences.

Dust suppression will be managed as per the contractor's environmental management plan.

What a useless question!  This is why QLD cannot have good things! Both our major political Parties are stuck in the 1960's!!

Roads Good!! Public Transport Bad!!

I speculate if we had rapid rail to the Gold Coast (180-200 km/hr) whether we would be building this duplicate road at all.

Clearly when TMR run out of space, they just build another road beside or tunnel below the existing one.

Facebook ...

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/98283

Coomera Connector construction powers on
Published Today at 11:47 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Minister for Housing
The Honourable Meaghan Scanlon

Stills / VNR for TV's

The Coomera Connector project is full steam ahead with the arrival of a unique piece of construction equipment onsite on the Coomera River – a 48-metre-long piling barge named the Maeve Anne.

The Maeve Anne has made the journey from the docks at Murrarie in Brisbane to her new home on the Coomera River, where she will assist with building the nearly one-kilometre-long Coomera River bridge as part of Stage 1 North.

The Maeve Anne will be used to build a temporary jetty on the northern banks of the Coomera River, which will be used to store material and equipment, and to move supplies and people out onto the river.

Once the jetty is installed, works will start on building 20 bridge marine piles, which will take about six months to complete.

The Maeve Anne will later be joined by her sister barge, the Suzanne, which will be used in the construction of the Coomera River bridge substructure, and to install bridge girders.

The Maeve Anne is equipped with a 250-tonne crane and piling rigs that include vibratory (vibro) hammers and a fly drill, and will utilise a crew of around eight specialist marine construction workers on board and the barge.

The Suzanne will also have its own specialist crew and is equipped with a 500-tonne crawler crane.

Local mariners will notice some changed conditions on the Coomera River around the marine construction area, including a temporary navigation channel and reduced speed limits.

The area will be clearly marked with buoys to ensure the safety of the project team and river users.

The Australian and Queensland governments have committed $2.16 billion to plan and build Coomera Connector Stage 1 between Coomera and Nerang, with each investing $1.07 billion.

Major construction on the Coomera Connector started in March.

The new motorway is expected to open progressively to traffic from late 2025, with planning continuing for future stages.

More information can be found at Coomera Connector | Department of Transport and Main Roads (tmr.qld.gov.au).

Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:

"Every milestone in the Coomera Connector's construction puts us a step forward in getting tourists and Gold Coast locals home sooner and safer.

"The Coomera Connector ties in with the M1, the new Hope Island train station and the broader active transport network – catering for the rapid growth this region is seeing.

"Queensland's Big Transport Build is underpinned by transformational infrastructure like the Coomera Connector, which will change the way people travel to and from the Gold Coast."   

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

"The Coomera Connector is a game-changer for South-East Queenslanders – it means less time stuck in traffic and more time spent with loved ones enjoying Queensland's great lifestyle. 

"We know congestion is a significant issue for the region and frustrating for motorists, which is why we're getting on with delivering this critical piece of infrastructure.

"Works have ramped up over the past couple of months since construction started and it is wonderful to see the new motorway construction well underway.

"The delivery of this vital piece of infrastructure is estimated to support an average of 1,000 direct jobs over the life of the project."

Quotes attributable to the Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey:

"Getting the Coomera Connector corridor secured, the project designed, fully funded and work underway has been top priority of the Palaszczuk State Government."

"The $2.16 billion dollar Coomera Connector is the single largest road project in our State's history and it is fantastic to see works coming along.

"We know that the population across the city has exploded, in fact the Northern suburbs is one of the fastest growing region in the country.

"This is our plan to manage the population growth with bigger and better roads, to protect the coastal lifestyle that we all love".

Quotes attributable to Palaszczuk Government Minister and Gold Coast MP Meaghan Scanlon:

"It's this government that committed to a second M1, and it's this government that's delivering.

"Anyone travelling to or from the Gold Coast knows how desperately the Second M1 is needed and why the piling barge will be a welcome sight.

"From major investments in light rail and M1 upgrades to on-demand transport trials and delivery of the Coomera Connector, it's the Palaszczuk Government building the infrastructure our city needs.

"With our city's population expected to reach close to 800,000 in the next 10 years, we're investing more than $5 billion in road and rail projects across our city."

ENDS

1-2% public transport mode share here we come!!

🤢🤢🤢🤢

Can afford this. Can't afford to fix the river crossing for trains.

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/996-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 996
Asked on 24 August 2023

MR M BOOTHMAN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS AND MINISTER FOR DIGITAL SERVICES (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to the Coomera Connector—
Will the Minister advise (a) when the Department of Main Roads will detail the schedule of
construction works and impacts on residents for the section of road South of Helensvale Road
and North of Brisbane Road and (b) how will Helensvale residents east of the rail line (Ridgevale
Drive) access their properties during construction of this section of the connector?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Theodore for the question.

The Coomera Connector is a game changer for Southeast Queensland and will be the single
largest road project in our State's history. Transforming the way we move in and around the Gold
Coast, and neighbouring Logan, the Coomera Connector will provide capacity to support our
growing communities.

a) Site investigations are currently underway to inform the design of the Stage 1 Central
package of the Coomera Connector, which extends from south of Helensvale Road to the
Smith Street Motorway. I am advised that in the coming months, once the design is suitably
progressed, the Department of Transport and Main Roads will be in a position to provide
nearby residents with further detail.

b) Residents east of the rail line, namely ‛The Shoresʼ estate, will be provided access during
construction. I am advised, based on current design and construction planning, temporary
vehicle access will be provided via a detour along the new motorway corridor from the
existing roundabout in ‛The Shoresʼ, south to the Gold Coast Highway. The detour will
facilitate construction of a new Ridgevale Drive bridge over the Coomera Connector. Once
the new Ridgevale Drive bridge is complete, this temporary access via the Gold Coast
Highway will be removed. During the Ridgevale Drive bridge closure, pedestrian access will
be maintained via temporary access paths.

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/98973

Have your say on planning for future stages of the Coomera Connector

Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services
The Honourable Mark Bailey

The gazetted corridor of the Coomera Connector (Future stages) is changing, to help reduce environmental impacts and achieve better outcomes for road users and the community.
Community consultation on the Coomera Connector (Future stages) concept design is open until 24 November.
Feedback on the concept design for the remaining 29-kilometres of the Loganholme to Coomera corridor will inform the project's business case.
The business case is expected to be completed in late 2023.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is making amendments to the gazetted corridor of the Coomera Connector (Future stages) project between Loganholme and Coomera.

Multi-criteria assessments were carried out to evaluate three locations – Coomera, Pimpama and Eagleby.

It was determined an amended corridor alignment at these locations could achieve significant benefits in reducing the impacts on native vegetation, wetlands of significance at Eagleby, and improve the connectivity to the Coomera Connector for local residents.

TMR has started the re-gazettal process in line with standard planning policies.

Discussions with impacted property owners are currently underway.

Formal gazettal of the corridor will not take place until the business case is finalised in late 2023.

TMR is committed to seeking feedback from the community on the Coomera Connector (Future stages) concept design.

Community consultation is now open until 24 November 2023, when we will share details on the concept design including interchange locations and layouts developed as part of the business case.

Feedback can be provided at information sessions in the local community, by phone, email or by completing an online form on the TMR website https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/coomera-connector-future-stages.

Once complete, the 45-kilometre Coomera Connector will be a new north-south motorway between Logan and the Gold Coast, which will relieve congestion on the M1 by providing an alternative route for local trips.

The Australian Government and the Queensland Government have committed a total of $22 million (on a 50:50 basis) to continue planning for future stages of the Coomera Connector from Loganholme to Coomera.

Quotes attributable to the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

"The Coomera Connector is a game-changer for South-East Queenslanders.

"It means less time stuck in traffic and more time with your loved ones.

"We know that road congestion is a significant issue for the region and a drain on the economy which is why we're getting on with delivering this critical piece of infrastructure.

"Identifying opportunities where we can minimise the impacts on the environment is an important part of planning Australian and Queensland Government infrastructure projects and I welcome the changes to the alignment."

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey:

"I encourage the community to provide feedback on the concept design for the Coomera Connector (Future stages) project.

"Since 2022 we have been working on the business case and conducting comprehensive environmental studies for the future stages corridor, from Loganholme to Coomera.

"Community consultation on the Coomera Connector (Future stages) planning will showcase the work that's been done to develop a robust business case for the Coomera Connector between Loganholme and Coomera.

"With construction on Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector now underway, momentum is building for the delivery of one of Queensland's largest transport infrastructure projects. Future Stages will provide the critical link to significantly reducing the number of vehicle trips on the M1."

ENDS

Blah blah blah "Model made me do it"!!!

Quote from: JonnoBlah blah blah "Model made me do it"!!!

IMO the train service to the Gold Coast has to be far better if we want to capture higher mode share from people voluntarily choosing it.

People favour transport that minimises their door-to-door journey time, particularly in the off-peak (during peak PT and Car trip travel times tend to equalise).

So long as the M1 offers the shorter journey time, it will be the preferred mode. This is not hard to understand.

Let's say ~ 115K trips are made per day on the motorway. This works out to be around 30 million trips p.a. The annual Gold Coast Line patronage is ~ 5 million trips p.a. This is a mode share of about 14% (similar to Perth).

- A train offers a ~ 55 km/hr average speed train with up to 30 min waits, plus additional connection time and penalties

- A car offers a 100-110 km/hr speed, no connections, and instantaneous frequency

A solution would therefore be to increase both the speed and frequency of the train to narrow the time gap between competing modes.

QuoteFeedback on the concept design for the remaining 29-kilometres of the Loganholme to Coomera corridor will inform the project's business case.

Is this for real? A 29 km of new motorway would potentially cost $4.5 billion, but R1 in the M1 median is apparently a no-no because buying faster trains that can do 160 km/hr would be 'too expensive'?

This is why we need modal competition.



Notes

Pacific Motorway M1 upgrade program
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/programs/pacific-motorway-m1-upgrade-program

QuoteThere is an average of between 60,000 and 170,000 vehicles per day that use sections of the Pacific Motorway (M1) from Springwood to Tugun.

29 km x 150 million/km => $4.350 billion

It will include a new cycleway alongside though

Quote from: verbatim9 on October 20, 2023, 21:38:07 PMIt will include a new cycleway alongside though

It didn't look like there was much of a gap or barrier for the bikeway which is a shame. I ride along the M3 (Veloway) daily and the sections closest to the motorway are noisy and smell. Even a 2m gap and/or a wall makes a big difference. 

Here's my feedback: can the whole thing. Put $ into light rail, heavy rail, buses and active transport instead.

https://x.com/judithkerr1/status/1716194060413858066?s=20

Couriermail --> Eagleby anger as new Coomera Connector route to trigger more land resumptions $

QuoteA state government move to reroute a planned six-lane highway connecting Brisbane and the Gold Coast has been met with angst and criticism from local residents.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey announced the plans to alter the path of a 29km section of the 45km Coomera Connector at the Logan River on Friday.

The proposed highway has been the focus of a six-year campaign to divert the road away from the environmentally significant Eagleby Wetlands.

Although no exact maps of the newest plans have been released, the latest move was expected to push the road at Eagleby about 80m further east but still require three bridges. ...

QuoteA state government move to reroute a planned six-lane highway connecting Brisbane and the Gold Coast has been met with angst and criticism from local residents.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey announced the plans to alter the path of a 29km section of the 45km Coomera Connector at the Logan River on Friday.

So, what is our alternative?

This motorway will be built so long as there isn't another (rail) plan that delivers a proposal remotely competitive with it. The Gold Coast Rail line does ~ 55 km/hr average speed between Beenleigh and Brisbane, the motorway does 100-110 km/hr. The car offers instantaneous frequency and connection-free transport. The train requires a connection (car-train, bus-train, tram-train) and its frequency is 30 minutes.

These are the reasons why we observe the train has a mode share of ~ 14% and the roads carry the remaining 86%.

IMHO just proposing the motorway not get built is not really a solution - transport demand is a multiple of population growth. That multiple is approximately 3.3x whatever the population is, split between either on roads or on PT.

Below is one way to evaluate proposals, ideally a proposal should sit in the green zone.

There's still going to be an arterial road here no matter what else is delivered.  I'm annoyed it isn't just taking the more economical form of basically Bermuda St or one of Canberra's parkways with at-grade intersections, but there was always going to be a local arterial at minimum.

Quote from: SurfRail on October 23, 2023, 13:49:24 PMThere's still going to be an arterial road here no matter what else is delivered.  I'm annoyed it isn't just taking the more economical form of basically Bermuda St or one of Canberra's parkways with at-grade intersections, but there was always going to be a local arterial at minimum.

Indeed one with public transport ROW

There's a rumour that DTMR was in a bit of a rush to get the Coomera Connector Stage 1 EPBC approved, tendered and started before koalas were declared endangered in SEQ. They're now having to look at shifting future stages of the freeway because of the changed status.

Quote from: andrewr on November 12, 2023, 07:05:55 AMThere's a rumour that DTMR was in a bit of a rush to get the Coomera Connector Stage 1 EPBC approved, tendered and started before koalas were declared endangered in SEQ. They're now having to look at shifting future stages of the freeway because of the changed status.

That makes me sick.