Article: Brisbane subway 'by 2016'

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Brisbane subway 'by 2016'

Brisbane subway 'by 2016'
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Steve Wardill and Rsoemary Odgers

October 07, 2008 10:19am

AN underground railway system for Brisbane could be up and running as early as 2016, premier Anna Bligh has told State Parliament today.

Ms Bligh said the $14.2 billion underground rail system  would feature new tracks along two lines, from the southern Gold Coast and the western Ipswich lines, extending to the north of Brisbane.

It would feature underground tunnels up to 13km long, and stations at Spring Hill, Woolloongabba, the CBD, the RNA showgrounds and West End, that would be up to 45 metres underground.

The project would be part-funded by the federal government's $20 billion Building Australia fund.

Last week, state and federal leaders at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting agreed to fast track big-ticket infrastructure spending to help shield the economy from continuing global financial turmoil.

Ms Bligh said the massive projects were likely to cost up to $14 billion, but with federal government's funding the first stage could begin by late 2012.

The project would be delivered in two stages over the next 15 to 20 years, she said.

"We are talking about the largest single public transport project ever undertaken in Queensland, more than matching our investment in busways," Ms Bligh told state parliament.

A detailed feasibility study would now be undertaken.

Ms Bligh said "visionary solutions" could be considered when the federal government worked with the states.

She said the fast-growing city needed world-class trains.

"The rail study released today is a vision of the future that, with federal government help, can transform public transport services here for generations to come," Ms Bligh said.

"We live in the fastest growing part of Australia.

"We are a city that is coming of age, and we need to reflect this in our public transport infrastructure."

Other projects the state has put forward for potential federal funding are: the Bruce Highway upgrade; Darra to Springfield road and rail link; Brisbane's Eastern Busway project; the Gateway Motorway north and south upgrades; Port of Brisbane motorway; Gold Coast rapid transit project; Abbot Point multi-use harbour; Mount Isa rail corridor and the Toowoomba bypass.

Legislation to pass the Building Australia Fund is due to go before federal parliament during the next session, starting next week.

with AAP

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Brisbane trains go underground

Brisbane trains go underground
Tony Moore | October 7, 2008 - 9:27AM

Underground rail stations are proposed for Spring Hill, Woolloongabba, West End, Central Brisbane and the RNA Showgrounds as part of the Queensland Government's Inner City Rail Capacity Study.

The plan - which requires funding from the Federal Government - will be released in full this afternoon by Premier Anna Bligh.

Under the plan underground tunnels up to 13 kilometres long would link the underground stations, which could be up to 45 metres underground.

Premier Anna Bligh told state parliament this morning the underground rail network would be delivered in two stages over the next 20 years, and could begin by late 2012.

"We are talking about the largest single public transport project ever undertaken in Queensland, more than matching our investment in busways," Ms Bligh said.

The project was announced in mid-2007, describing the need for tunnels to increase the capacity for extra train services into Brisbane's CBD.
A detailed feasibility study would now be undertaken.

Ms Bligh said "visionary solutions" could be considered when the Federal Government worked with the states. She said the fast-growing city needed world-class trains.

"The rail study released today is a vision of the future that, with Federal Government help, can transform public transport services here for generations to come," Ms Bligh said.

"We live in the fastest growing part of Australia.

"We are a city that is coming of age, and we need to reflect this in our public transport infrastructure."

The $14 billion rail project would be part-funded by the Federal Government's $20 billion Building Australia fund.

Last week, state and federal leaders at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting agreed to fast track big-ticket infrastructure spending to help shield the economy from continuing global financial turmoil.

Other transport projects the state has put forward for potential federal funding: the Bruce Highway upgrade; Darra to Springfield road and rail link; Brisbane's Eastern Busway project; the Gateway Motorway north and south upgrades; Port of Brisbane motorway; Gold Coast rapid transit project; Abbot Point multi-use harbour; Mount Isa rail corridor and the Toowoomba bypass.

Legislation to pass the Building Australia Fund is due to go before federal parliament next week.

[ozbob]

Also this is a good read -->  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=184.0

[ozbob]

Maps here!

mX Myspace


http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp246/mxbrisbane/cutaway.jpg



http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp246/mxbrisbane/phase1.jpg


http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp246/mxbrisbane/phase2.jpg

[ozbob]

Phase 1 is generally in line with our calls and discussions.

Route A is the stand out route to me.  It gives the capacity and acess to new destinations as well.

Good to see the Exhibition station and the north south connections.

The CBD station is very close to the gardens and QUT GP by the look it. Short walk.

When do we start digging?   

[ozbob]

Joint Statement:

Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
07/10/2008

Inner city rail plan to increase capacity

New underground river crossings, 13km tunnels and train stations up to 45 metres underground are key options in a plan to give Brisbane a world-class 21st century underground rail network.

Premier Anna Bligh and Transport Minister John Mickel today revealed proposals contained in the Inner City Rail Capacity study.

The study identifies the need for four new underground tracks along two corridors - from the western Ipswich line linking up to the northern Caboolture/North Coast line, and from the southern Gold Coast/Beenleigh line to the northern lines.

Tunnels would range from 8km to 13 km in length with the option for underground stations in Spring Hill, Woolloongabba, the CBD, Newstead, the Exhibition Centre and West End.

"This a first step and the projects identified in this study represents the largest single investment in the rail network ever considered by a Queensland Government, and would outstrip our current investment in busways," said the Premier.

"That's why we sought the support of the Federal government when we submitted this project on our list of priorities for the $20 billion Infrastructure Australia fund in June.

"We can't build this without more than one level of government being involved but this is an example of the sort of visionary solution we can realistically consider when we have a federal government that is prepared to work with the States.

"We are building the infrastructure needed to improve services today and our planning is delivering a expanded public transport network, more rail capacity, renovated stations and huge projects like Airport Link and the Northern Busway."

The underground rail project will cost up to $14 billion with the south to north corridor to be delivered by 2016 and the west to north corridor line constructed by 2026.

"With federal support we would expect to be able to start construction in 2012 which is the around the same planning period we saw for Airport Link and the North South Bypass Tunnel," said the Premier.

Ms Bligh said the Inner City Rail Capacity Study found that in 2006 more than 44,000 people used city train services each day during the two hour morning peak period.

"By 2016 demand is forecast to reach between 70,000 and 80,000 people in peak periods and by 2026 increase further to between 105,000 and 130,000 people," she said.

"Underground tunnels and stations are key features of the new routes, which will help minimise disruption to existing businesses and commuters and alleviate demand for available surface space," said the Premier.

Transport Minister John Mickel said the CBD remained a key destination for rail commuters.

"Three routes have been identified as options to meet the demand requirements for the first line and an additional three routes have been identified for the second line to meet future demand," he said.

Minister Mickel said Queensland Transport would now undertake a detailed feasibility study to determine the preferred alignment for the first route, which could be completed by mid-2011.

"This study will consider environmental concerns, land use planning, engineering and public comments to decide on a preferred alignment with a view to construction beginning in 2012," he said.

"These are huge projects and they require detailed planning. This is the same process that was followed for the State government's Airport Link project where construction will start next month.

"The study will also look at funding options but it is clear that we will need the Federal Government to come on board and there is also scope for a Public Private Partnership element.

"For Brisbane to remain a vibrant modern city planning now is essential to meet increased patronage and reduce traffic congestion, pollution and other environmental impacts.

"We are planning for the future but we are also doing an incredible amount of work to boost our rail infrastructure and add new services now," he said.

"Increased numbers of rail services and signalling efficiency will help meet capacity demands in the short term.

"Current efforts to increase capacity on the rail network include a third track from Salisbury to Kuraby, duplication from Ormeau to Coomera, Helensvale to Robina and Mitchelton to Keperra," he said.

"We are delivering a new train on average even month and we will do that for the next two years to meet the high demand for our public transport services.

"These projects are all part of a master plan to ensure Brisbane remains a vibrant modern city and can meet the demands of increased patronage and reduced traffic congestion, pollution and other environmental impacts."

==============================================================

[ozbob]

I just listened to an interview with Mr Mickel, Minister for Transport on radio 612 ABC Brisbane with Kelly Higgins-Devine.  Good up beat interview, although I think the figures for peak times are now a lot higher. 44,000 in 2006, it is probably about 55,000 at least now.  The forecasts are possibly a little optimistic, peak capacity will be reached sooner than 2016 at the present rate of growth.  So this makes this ramp up of inner city capacity very time critical.

Plan C which is using the existing surface southern rail corridor and another bridge next to the Merivale bridge with a further tunnel essentially Roma St through to Fortitude Valley and then to the northern line is probably the quickest  option to implement in some ways, but would involve property resumptions, and is just adding more capacity to the same routes.

Plan A gives the same capacity but with rail services to new areas. For example the 'Gabba, CBD (near the Botanical Gardens and QUT Gardens Point/Parliament) and the Exhibition precinct.  There is a new commercial and major residential  development planned for the Exhibition and when you put that together with the Herston Medical Campus which includes Royal Brisbane Hospital this will be very useful.

The idea of underground railway tunnels in Brisbane is not new.  There was a plan in the around the 1940s, possibly a bit earlier for a tunnel from South Brisbane/Vulture Street (no bridge then) under the river to connect with the rail network northside.  We just might yet see proper underground rail extensions yet!


I have been invited to do a short interview on radio 612 ABC Brisbane after 5pm today (7th Oct) with Kelly Higgins-Devine on the drive show.

[ozbob]

Excellent video at YouTube on building of the Merivale Bridge Part One Click

Part Two click here!

[stephenk]

It is great to see that a new rail tunnel under the city is looking more likely!

Route A makes the most sense for initial construction. However, I have 1 big reservation with the route:

No interchange at Central - it would be pretty stupid to build this line, and not provide interchange where the lines intersect. Maybe if either the Spring Hill or CBD stations could be moved slightly south or north respectively, then they could have two exits, one of which is at Central.

A few other points:

Line routings would be interesting. This new line sensibly has interchange with the Cleveland Line at Park Rd. If it wasn't for a station at Dutton Park being left out, all Gold Coast/Beenleigh trains could have been run via the new tunnel. As this won't be case, which services would run via the new tunnel without causing a messy timetable with a mixture of trains from each line running via the new tunnel or via Southbank? 

As the line is still in tunnel at Bowen Hills, then the Beenleigh Line would loose it's pairing with the Ferny Grove Line. So would Beenleigh pair with Shorncliffe, and Cleveland pair with Ferny Grove? Don't forget that Gold Coast will still have to pair with the Airport Line.

The track layout at the Bowen Hills tunnel portal must allow for efficient train movements to the required lines. It would be silly to spend billions on a new tunnel, to then have a bottleneck and conflicting movements north of Bowen Hills. Lets hope that costs aren't cut on the track layout at this crucial location.

I'm also a bit concerned about the lack of 4th track on the Beenleigh Line. Given that the Gold Coast trains make up about 18mins on Beenleigh Line trains, then if either service has a frequency of less the 24 mins in both directions, then trains will not be able to overtake in one of those directions. This makes a 15min off-peak frequencies rather difficult! Oops!!

[mufreight]

Isn't it wonderful what an approaching election and falling popularity in the polls can do to motivate a floundering government, it's about time, logically route A should be followed as has been proposed here, the only question now is when will they start actual construction?  Tunnelling machines are becoming avaliable, (the machine used for the Bogga Road bus tunnel for instance) and will it be like Springfield, once started then have a completion date stretch into eternity.

[ozbob]

Thanks for your comments Stephen.

There will be an extensive community consultation process so I am sure some of the obvious flaws will be corrected.
In principle though I think route A does look good, but all routes have pros and cons of course.

I hope the whole process can be expedited without compromising integrity and detail.  We will need the capacity sooner than later!

Cheers
Bob

[O_128]

From what i can see route A makes the most sense route B will be implented in stage 2 anyway.
I think that fairfield is a big surprise to everyone though it makes sens as fairfield will also have access to the eastern busway inturn making it quicker to get to capalaba.

My main reservation is weather this will complent existing lines or be part of the citytrain system?

I would probably conecet The beenleigh line to the caboolture line the ipwich to fernygrove and then once stage 2 was complete connect the cleveland line to newstead via wolongabba.

Wollongabba is a must though i would have liked a hamilton and bulimba staion and an ashgrove statio though those will come in the future.

[ozbob]

Media Release 7 October 2008

SEQ:  Inner city rail plan to add capacity is very welcome

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has said the announcement today of the inner city rail plan is very welcome, and is very time critical.  The expected capacity saturation point will be reached long before 2016 at current increases in passenger loadings by Citytrain.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The options for increasing the inner city rail capacity are urgently needed.  In a joint statement the Premier noted that in 2006 more than 44,000 people used the Citytrain services in a 2 hour peak period.  Anyone who regularly travels on the Citytrain services knows that since 2006 there are a lot more people on the trains. It is probably more like 55,000 to 60,000 today in the 2 hour peak period."

"This reinforces why we need the increase in inner city rail capacity. It will allow all lines to continue to be ramped up in frequency and in so doing transport citizens in an environmentally sustainable manner. This will in turn help ease road congestion."

"Some of the individual route plans released today will provide rail services new inner city areas.  They will help relieve pressure on buses.  A high frequency rail service can be fed by local buses with many more lateral bus runs.  This in turn takes pressure of the key radial bus routes and busways.  Buses are too approaching capacity in Brisbane.  Rail gives the bulk capacity.  A six car suburban set can carry 800 passengers with some comfort, 1000 passengers for shorter distances."

"Plan A gives additional north-south capacity but with rail services to new areas.  For example the 'Gabba, CBD  (near the Botanical Gardens and QUT Gardens Point/Parliament) and the Exhibition precinct.  There is a new commercial and major residential development planned for the Exhibition precinct and when you put that together with the Herston Medical Campus which includes Royal Brisbane Hospital, this will be very useful."

"We congratulate the Queensland Government on the release of this plan but call for consideration of expediting the next stages of implementation.  It is becoming very critical."

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[stephenk]

I would probably conecet The beenleigh line to the caboolture line the ipwich to fernygrove

Personally I think it would make sense to keep lines close to their current line groupings.
i.e.
Ipswich to Caboolture, North Coast on the main line
Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Cleveland, Ferny Grove, Doomben, Airport, (and maybe Shorncliffe) on the suburban line & new tunnel.

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Brisbane's underground rail plan depends on federal funds

Brisbane's underground rail plan depends on federal funds
Article from: The Courier-Mail

By Steven Wardill

October 07, 2008 11:00pm

A $14 BILLION inner-Brisbane underground rail proposal could be delayed by years without significant contribution from the Federal Government.

Premier Anna Bligh yesterday unveiled proposed corridors for the underground railway but conceded her Government could not meet the timeframe on its own.

Ms Bligh described the plan as a "coming of age" for Brisbane, saying it was essential to meet the growing demands for public transport.

"It is absolutely imperative that it goes ahead," she said. "Without funds from the Commonwealth the timing might have to be reconsidered, but this project has to proceed in order for Brisbane's transport to meet the needs of population."

The State Government has included the rail plan as one of 10 projects submitted for funding under the Commonwealth's $20 billion Infrastructure Australia initiative.

Ms Bligh said she wanted at least a 50-50 funding arrangement with the Federal Government and would enter negotiations with a "high degree of optimism".

At a Brisbane infrastructure summit yesterday, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd warned the states they would need to carry their fair share of funding under the IA initiative.

"State governments, their corporations and the private sector also have critical roles to play," he said.

The first phase of the underground rail would cost $8 billion and be completed by 2016. It would include three, 13km north-to-south route options, each beginning at Albion and finishing at Fairfield. Potential new stations along the different routes were the Exhibition, Spring Hill, Newstead and Woolloongabba, as well as near the City Botanic Gardens.

Much of the first phase aimed to relieve congestion on South Brisbane's Merivale Bridge, the only rail river crossing, due to reach capacity by 2016. The second, $6 billion phase also included three routes from Albion, two through Milton and a third from South Brisbane to Toowong. Potential new stations include the same sites at the CBD and Newstead plus one at West End.

"The next step is a feasibility process that will identify specific routes and costings," Ms Bligh said.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said that all commuters were getting from Ms Bligh was a commitment to further studies.

New Greens MP Ronan Lee claimed credit for the announcement, saying his party had backed public transport.

[ozbob]

Courier Mail Editorial 8 Oct 2008 click here!

Talking up rail network not good enough
Article from: The Courier-Mail

October 07, 2008 11:00pm

THE cynical might suggest that one sign the Bligh Government knows it is in trouble is that it has stepped up the pace on its efforts to be portrayed as a builder of big things.

Few things get bigger than a $14 billion underground rail network, which Premier Anna Bligh announced triumphantly yesterday, dismantling the brick wall of silence on the project erected since The Courier-Mail revealed its cost more than a fortnight ago.

A rail line linking underground stations at West End, Newstead, Woolloongabba and Spring Hill would transform the shape and functionality of Queensland's capital city. But hold on. Stripped of its flourishes, yesterday's announcement was actually a confirmation that the Government had submitted to Infrastructure Australia a study into the feasibility of underground rail options put forward by Queensland Transport. There was no mention of the study's cost ? $5 million ? or that this was the latest in a series of studies the department has undertaken to look at ways of improving public transport. But then, studies are not sexy.

No matter how enlivening an inner-city subway system may sound, the truth is that, without a large commitment of funds from the Commonwealth, the Bligh Government is not within a bull's roar of being ready to start construction. The Premier admitted as much yesterday. Ms Bligh is entitled to talk up the proposed project's chances of getting a tick from Infrastructure Australia.

It seems to meet the Commonwealth's requirements, as outlined by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd yesterday, that such proposals achieve things such as improve quality of life, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop cities and regions.

Certainly, an underground rail loop in the city would reduce the region's dependence on car transport. However, with two major road tunnel projects under way in Brisbane, another in the pipeline and the city's busways in for a major expansion, how well thought-out are these plans for a new rail network?

The urgent task as far as southeast Queensland's existing rail network is concerned is to build a second inner-city river crossing before the Merivale Bridge reaches expected capacity in 2016. The Government began talking in April, 2005 about the need for a second river crossing for rail in the context of southeast Queensland's urgent future infrastructure needs.

Yet here we are, more than three years later, and it is only just releasing the results of a pre-feasibility study into the problem. Even with yesterday's announcement, it will not be until mid-2011 before all feasibility studies and public consultation into the project will be completed.

Four years ago, the Government had plans for 17 major infrastructure projects to be built under the private public partnership model. Today, Infrastructure Minister Paul Lucas treats questions about these proposed projects with contempt, refusing to reveal their status or even whether they still exist. Such behaviour does not help build trust in the Government to deliver anything near what it is proposing about an inner-city underground rail network.

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Subway proposal 'too late'

Subway proposal 'too late'
Tony Moore | October 8, 2008

A rail lobby group has welcomed the government's proposal of an underground rail network for Brisbane, but said the upgrade is needed more urgently than planned.

Rali: Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said 30 per cent growth in patronage on Brisbane's Citytrain network in the past three years was proof rail transport was popular if good service was provided.

Mr Dow welcomed the underground proposal, but said the existing network would reach "capacity constraints" in 2012-13.

"We think 2016 is too far out, based on the present passenger loading increases," he said.

"I mean they have had 30 per cent in the last three years, so it is just going up and up."

An extra 44 trains are being added to the Citytrain network and a further 58 three-car units have been ordered.

"Now that is going to give them - theoretically - a 70 per cent increase in capacity by 2012," he said.

Mr Dow said he supported the option that takes in Park Road and Woolloongabba before going underground to a new Brisbane CBD station.

"Of the first phase plans we have a leaning towards Route A, because it provides rail services to ares that don't have rail services, like Woolloongabba," he said.

He said new developments were being planned around transport infrastructure and the city had to meet demand.

He also supported a proposed link to the Exhibition Grounds because it would provide better rail service to Royal Brisbane Hospital and the growing inner-city redevelopment of Bowen Hills.

"We think that is also very smart because it is also a new transit development and commercial development and importantly it provides better access to the Royal Brisbane Hospital and the Herston medical precinct."

Meanwhile the State Opposition called on the Government to provide more detail on the proposal, to help secure federal funding.

Liberal National Party infrastructure and transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said the announcement proved the Government had failed to undertake the necessary planning it promised to do in 2005.

"If (Anna) Bligh's team had done the work Peter Beattie promised three years ago then they would have a properly finalised, budgeted and scoped project to submit for federal funding," Ms Simpson said.

The $14 billion rail project is one of 10 infrastructure projects being considered by Infrastructure Australia.

The LNP supports an underground rail system for inner-city Brisbane, but said yesterday's announcement put Queensland behind the eight-ball as it applied for funds.

"The other states have submitted fully-costed projects for the federal infrastructure funding, while all Anna Bligh can do is announce another study," Ms Simpson said.

"This whole announcement is lacking in professionalism. It is an embarrassment if this is the best the (Government) team can do when there is an opportunity to lodge bids in competition with other states who have done their homework."

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

All aboard Brisbane's underground rail

All aboard Brisbane's underground rail
Tony Moore | October 8, 2008

Brisbane's $14 billion underground rail network is now open for debate, with variations including possible underground rail stations at Park Road, Woolloongabba, Brisbane's CBD, West End, South Bank, Spring Hill and Newstead to cope with 80,000 peak hour commuters by 2016.

By 2026, it is expected the number of peak hour commuters will jump from 60,000 to about 130,000.

Under two of these plans people could take an underground train to the Gabba or the RNA Exhibition by 2016.

By 2026, commuters could go underground from Toowong through West End to South Brisbane near the Performing Arts Complex before alighting at a new underground station in central Brisbane.

A detailed planning study begins early next year and will be completed by mid-2011, allowing work on the preferred route to begin by 2012.

The first phase of the project will be finished by 2016 and will link the Gold Coast/Beenleigh line at Fairfield through to the North Coast line, joining in near Albion station.

Three options are being considered for this first rail link, with the suggested tunnels ranging in length from seven kilometres to 13 kilometres.

* Route A: Fairfield to Bowen Hills, but with an underground tunnel running from Park Road to Woolloongabba to Brisbane's CBD near the Botanical Gardens, through to Spring Hill to the Exhibition Grounds and on to Bowen Hills;

* Route B: Fairfield to Bowen Hills via Park Road, Woolloongabba, Brisbane's CBD, then detouring towards Newstead, before rejoining the rail link to Bowen Hills; and

* Route C: Park Road to Brunswick Street via South Bank, South Brisbane and Roma Street over a new Merivale Street Bridge before going underground for five kilometres from Central Station to Brunswick Street.

The second stage of the rail project - to be finished by 2026 - would provide better connections from the Ipswich line to the Caboolture line.

Again, three options have been put forward.

1. Toowong to Bowen Hills via West End, South Brisbane and CBD and out to Newstead;

2. Milton to Roma Street underground then to the new CBD station and then to the new station at Newstead; and

3. Toowong to Bowen Hills, underground between Milton and Brunswick Street.

Transport Minister John Mickel said the project needed federal, state and private sector funding.

"The study will also look at funding options, but it is clear that we will need the Federal Government to come on board and there is also scope for a public private partnership element," he said.

"For Brisbane to remain a vibrant modern city planning now is essential to meet increased patronage and reduce traffic congestion, pollution and other environmental impacts."

Public transport lobby group Rail: Back on Track praised the plan, but said Brisbane's peak hour rail services would be choked by 2012, not 2016.

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

QLD 'behind eight-ball' on rail

QLD 'behind eight-ball' on rail
Tony Moore | October 6, 2008

The State Opposition has expressed disappointment that the Inner City Rail Study released yesterday did not lay out a specific plan for funding from the Federal Government.

Liberal National Party Infrastructure and Transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said the announcement proved the Government had failed to undertake the necessary planning it promised in 2005.

"If Bligh's team had done the work Peter Beattie promised three years ago then they would have a properly finalised, budgeted and scoped project to submit for federal funding," Ms Simpson said.

The $14 billion rail project is one of 10 infrastructure projects that is being considered by Infrastructure Australia.

The Liberal National Party supports an underground rail system for inner-city Brisbane, but said yesterday's announcement put Queensland behind the eight-ball as it applied for funds.

"The other states have submitted fully-costed projects for the federal infrastructure funding, while all Anna Bligh can do is announce another study," Ms Simpson said.

"This whole announcement is lacking in professionalism. It is an embarrassment if this is the best the Beattie-Bligh team can do when there is an opportunity to lodge bids in competition with other states who have done their homework."

[Derwan]

the only question now is when will they start actual construction? 

From this page:

"The detailed feasibility study will commence shortly and is estimated to be completed by mid-2011. Completion of this study will allow construction to commence in 2012."

Commencement of construction is at least 4 years away.   

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Underground rail plan ignores 25,000 daily uni visitors

Underground rail plan ignores 25,000 daily uni visitors
Tony Moore | October 8, 2008 - 12:00PM

The University of Queensland at St Lucia should be included in any discussions about the future rail network in Brisbane, Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Trevor Grigg said this morning.

The State Government yesterday announced plans for a $14 billion underground rail network for inner-city Brisbane, which ignored the St Lucia campus.

Professor Grigg is charged with the future development of the University of Queensland's campuses and said with 25,000 people visiting the St Lucia campus each day, the university deserved to be considered.

He said planners needed to recognise that the St Lucia campus was the second largest traffic attractor in Brisbane's CBD.

"I would hope that what is on the table is just some preliminary thinking," Professor Grigg said this morning.

"I would like to think that we would be consulted. I think we need to canvas exactly how major traffic attractors such as the University of Queensland figure in this whole exercise."

He said the recent popularity of the Eleanor Schonell Bridge connection across to Dutton Park proved public transport was popular if it was convenient.

"We have roughly about 25,000 people a day coming to the campus," he said.

"And that is not just staff and students. That includes members of the business and professional community at large.

"It is certainly true that while we have put a limit on the amount of parking that we've got here - around 5000 spaces - there is quite a lot of turnover on those spaces because not everyone stay here all day."

Professor Grigg said the university remained limited in terms of access and said a future rail link should be considered.

"It has really (only) been with the opening up of the Eleanor Schonell Bridge that we have access to a fairly direct link to the central city area and some important south-east busways," he said.

The plans at present propose a possible underground rail tunnel from Toowong to West End to South Bank and into the central city, in the second phase of the project, set to be finished by 2026.

However the Rail Operations Review - the main study released for the project - includes no mention of the University of Queensland.

Professor Grigg said he believed the campus should be included in further stages of the feasibility study.

"The Green Bridge here has made quite a considerable difference to bus transportation and so on," he said.

"But I think we need to canvas how major centres like the University fit into this exercise."

Professor Grigg also questioned if the emphasis on re-inforcing Brisbane's "radial" rail network - towards central station - put even further pressure on inner-city Brisbane.

"Which is, in many ways, aggravating the pressures for movement of people and freight and so on in the inner city areas, perhaps unreasonably," he said.

We have previously suggested an underground line from around Indooroopilly, under St Lucia to connect up with an underground junction station at Wooloongabba.  This would be very advantageous but many have suggested that there would much opposition to such a proposal from residents and so forth around Indooroopilly and St Lucia. 

I think the obvious comment to make though is that the Inner City Capacity Rail study is just that: Inner City, although it certainly does provide further options and links and ideas for innovations.

[mufreight]

Without increased inner city capacity the whole system is destined to choke and this is a first step, unfortunately many want their slice of the pie now and give little thought to the effects on the system overall.

[Markus]

Hi guys, Im reading GREAT feedback/ views from you all.
As Im a BNE newbie Im finding StephenKs views particularly interesting, if not vital,
for the pairing of lines and interchange alignments will "make or break its success."

Perhaps a passenger Census conducted by Qld Gov't on where passengers actually travel from and travel to would be the catalyst in deciding what line pairs with what line . . . along with turnback times of course.
Getting the green light financially (no matter who is in Government!) I see as essential, with no compromise on interchange & pairing of lines coming in a close second.

From what my workmates said today, they expect to hear Gov'ts construction dates locked in, PRIOR to any election.
To do otherwise will be at their peril. Ouch!

[ButFli]

Perhaps a passenger Census conducted by Qld Gov't on where passengers actually travel from and travel to would be the catalyst in deciding what line pairs with what line . . . along with turnback times of course.

I would suggest that line pairings have nothing to do with allowing cross-city travel without a change and not much  to do with turn back times. The major consideration is pairing busy lines with other busy lines so you can serve the most passengers with the smallest amount of rolling stock.

[mufreight]

ButFli has it pretty close to the mark, utilisation of the rolling stock, layovers accumulate and reduce the avaliability of rolling stock and at the present time there are not sufficient train sets to provide additional services and it will not be rectified for some time despite the Premiers statement that a new three car set is delivered every month when in fact it has taken something like 8 months to get the latest two three car sets SMU 261/262 into regular service with a further two sets SMU 263/264 still running test trains for their acceptance trials so the Premiers one train (3 cars) a month statement seems to be wishfull thinking or more spin on her part but we can hope.

[ozbob]

Story at QUT News --> 

[stephenk]

I would suggest that line pairings have nothing to do with allowing cross-city travel without a change and not much  to do with turn back times. The major consideration is pairing busy lines with other busy lines so you can serve the most passengers with the smallest amount of rolling stock.

Line pairings need to:
1) Balance the train frequencies from each end i.e not pairing Ipswich with Doomben.
2) Eliminate as many conflicting movements as possible i.e not having trains cross the paths of other trains.

Reversal times are just something that needs to be taken into account in the timetabling.

[O_128]

I think a short term idea would be to pair cleveland and shorncliffe together and conncet doomben to terminate at milton this would mean 15 min peak at what is a inner city station.Ex doomben services could even continue to ipwich giving the holly 15 min off peak frequency.Also Cleveland and Shorncliffe have simmalar loadings unlike the doomben line.Also to bad that gold caost services didnt continue to nambour insteaed would mean good rolling stock for nambour most of the time.When the sunshine cost line opens [if ever being a single track] I would definently put airport services from the sunny coast to airport

[stephenk]

I think a short term idea would be to pair cleveland and shorncliffe together and conncet doomben to terminate at milton this would mean 15 min peak at what is a inner city station.Ex doomben services could even continue to ipwich giving the holly 15 min off peak frequency.Also Cleveland and Shorncliffe have simmalar loadings unlike the doomben line.Also to bad that gold caost services didnt continue to nambour insteaed would mean good rolling stock for nambour most of the time.When the sunshine cost line opens [if ever being a single track] I would definently put airport services from the sunny coast to airport

Oh dear, crazy post of the day.

Please take note of the second point in my last post (and possibly the first point too)! Doomben to Ipswich, and Gold Coast to Nambour would clog up the system with conflicting movements. Doomben to Ipswich isn't exactly even loading either is it! A few other points - Milton already has a 15min off-peak weekday service (in fact it's 15mins to Corinda). Sunshine Coast to Airport would be a big waste of track capacity and require the train to change directions at Eagle Junction.

Please think before posting. 

[ozbob]

Brisbane mX 8 October 2008 page 1

Subway a sure thing

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

St Lucia rail link ruled out for now

St Lucia rail link ruled out for now
Tony Moore | October 9, 2008 - 4:28AM

The Inner City Rail Upgrade project did consider a rail corridor through the St Lucia campus, a Transport Department spokesman confirmed last night.

However, it was rejected because it was outside the "geographic scope" of the project.

"The Inner City Rail Upgrade project recognised the University of Queensland as a major patronage attractor and consideration was given to a rail corridor connection from the University of Queensland as an alternative route option through to the CBD from either the south or west corridor," the spokesman said in a statement.

"However, this option was considered to be outside the geographic scope of the Inner City Rail Upgrade project."

The Transport Department said a rail link to St Lucia could be considered if there were further changes to the Citytrain network.

The new $226 million Boggo Road busway should help commuters to the St Lucia campus by cutting 10 minutes from travel times for some buses to the university.

A Queensland Transport spokesman added that new bus journeys would take about 13,000 students to the campus each day from Brisbane's southern and eastern suburbs.

"This new link in the busway network will provide a dedicated public transport connection from the Princess Alexandra Hospital to the Eleanor Schonell Bridge and the University of Queensland," he said.

"TransLink will also divert a combination of existing routes onto the busway, as well as introduce new routes and as demand warrants, TransLink will upgrade service frequencies and operating hours."

He said the study recognised that an upgraded rail station at Park Road would help the university by acting as a link with the bus lines and to the Cleveland and Beenleigh rail lines.

University of Queensland Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Trevor Grigg yesterday morning asked that the university campus be considered in Brisbane's $14 billion underground rail network because 25,000 people visited the site each day.

"I would like to think that we would be consulted," Professor Grigg said.

"I think we need to canvas exactly how major traffic attractors such as the University of Queensland figure in this whole exercise."

He said the recent popularity of the Eleanor Schonell Bridge connection across to Dutton Park proved public transport was popular if it was convenient.

"We have roughly about 25,000 people a day coming to the campus," he said.

"And that is not just staff and students. That includes members of the business and professional community at large."

[ButFli]

Busways are all well and good but ignoring the UQ when an underground rail line could be built perilously close is insane.

UQ is the 4th biggest generator of public transport trips in Australia with an estimated 30000 trips every day. The first 3 are the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane CBD's. I suppose now St Lucia is represented by the Greens in State Parliament it is "outside the geographical scope" of rail. :roll:

[stephenk]

Personally I think it would be a very un-smart move not to send the 2nd stage underground line via St Lucia. It would probably become one of the busiest stations in Brisbane!

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Underground rail network to cost $10b less

Underground rail network to cost $10b less
Article from: The Courier-Mail

John McCarthy and Jeremy Pierce

October 12, 2008 11:00pm

AN underground rail network could be built for about $10 billion less than the Government's planned scheme and still provide a high level of service, according to a transport consultant.

The big savings would be made by not having such an extensive and costly tunnel network but with the added benefit of also linking with a light rail and bus.

It would also bypass Bowen Hills, which consultant Justin Wells said had become a choke point for the rail system. That would allow more services from Caboolture.

The network would stretch from Woolloongabba to the CBD at the QUT campus and then on to Central and Kelvin Grove. It would rejoin the existing network at Newmarket.

"The rail tunnel would cost less than the North South Bypass Tunnel as it does not need ventilation if it only has electric trains . . . so our estimate of costs to date is in the order of $3.5 to $4 billion," Mr Wells said. "This would include new stations and integrating busways as well as property resumptions at the Princess Alexandra and Newmarket area. I cannot see why the state has gone so grand."

Premier Anna Bligh said it was far too early in the process to commit to any one proposal.

"We've still got a long way to go before we get to a point where we have decided routes and costings," she said.

"So if there are better or more cost-effective engineering solutions we will certainly look at them."

Public transport lobbyist Robert Dow said Brisbane's train network was facing meltdown and the promised underground inner city rail line needed to be brought forward by at least two years.

The first stage of the Government's $14 billion plan was not expected to be completed until 2016 with three options being considered.

Mr Dow said the rail system was already experiencing "latent demand", or overcrowding to the point where no more travellers could board the train.

He said trains on the Ipswich line were often running well over capacity and demand was only going get worse.

QR passenger executive general manager Paul Scurrah said QR did not maintain statistics on the number of people left behind but was aware that some people choose not to board services during peak hour because of crowding.

But Mr Dow said passenger numbers were easily exceeding Government estimates during peak periods.

"There are 1200 people on trains designed for 800," Mr Dow said.

The Urban Design Alliance chairman James Coutts said the underground system would be a huge benefit for the city, but he said there would be more commuter stress until the scheme was built.

However, he said the Government needed time to do the job properly.

New Green Ronan Lee backs light-rail system

THE Queensland Greens yesterday called for a tram-style light rail system in Brisbane and in centres such as Redcliffe, Ipswich, Pine Rivers and Logan.

State Labor-turned-Greens MP Ronan Lee urged southeast Queenslanders to access the Greens' e-petition calling for such a system.

"Our intention is to show there is strong support for a sustainable light rail system," he said.

Mr Lee said the Greens proposed an above-ground system but also supported the concept of underground light rail.

The aim was to feed into existing rail and bus systems.

Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlum called on the State Government to urge Federal powers for sustainable light-rail funding.

Mr Lee was yesterday endorsed as the Greens candidate for the seat of Indooroopilly at the next state election.

Additional reporting by Elizabeth Allen

[stephenk]

From Courier Mail click here!

Underground rail network to cost $10b less

AN underground rail network could be built for about $10 billion less than the Government's planned scheme and still provide a high level of service, according to a transport consultant.

The big savings would be made by not having such an extensive and costly tunnel network but with the added benefit of also linking with a light rail and bus.

It would also bypass Bowen Hills, which consultant Justin Wells said had become a choke point for the rail system. That would allow more services from Caboolture.

The network would stretch from Woolloongabba to the CBD at the QUT campus and then on to Central and Kelvin Grove. It would rejoin the existing network at Newmarket.

"The rail tunnel would cost less than the North South Bypass Tunnel as it does not need ventilation if it only has electric trains . . . so our estimate of costs to date is in the order of $3.5 to $4 billion," Mr Wells said. "This would include new stations and integrating busways as well as property resumptions at the Princess Alexandra and Newmarket area. I cannot see why the state has gone so grand."
n

This seems like an interesting idea and has some operational advantages. It would connect the Ferny Grove Line with the Beenleigh Line via the new tunnel, so line pairings would stay the same. This would allow some services that currently use the main line through the core section to switch to the suburban lines (such as Shorncliffe, and maybe some all stations Petrie services). This could thus allow for increased capacity for both expresses and all stations trains on the Ipswich-Caboolture corridor, and more segregation of the tracks they run on. Other advantages of this plan is that there would be an interchange at Central.

Disadvantages include no interchange at Bowen Hills, and what would happen to Windsor and Wilston stations?

[brad C]

Whilst the concept has a cost advantage, which will probably appeal to the pollies, the proposal really does little for network expansion, nor the concept of holistic benefit. The first impression is that it is simply a glorified diversion of Beenleigh and South Coast services, dumping everything at Newmarket.

Major investment in rail infrastructure of this magnitude should be an opportunity to create more convenient CBD accessibility (consider the poor access to Central from the greater CBD and in particular in wet weather); to lay the foundations for expanded coverage (south eastern and western suburbs) and cater for increased patronage on the existing network.

Whilst in theory the revised proposal achieves some of these objectives, it assumes the status quo wrt network coverage, frequencies on other lines and rollingstock etc.
Moreover, I see some deficiencies with the plan, namely:-
- what about air train services
- what about trains terminating at the Depot and associated crew changes etc
- interchange facilities at Newmarket (why newmarket, surely enoggerra)
- connectivity with Cleveland line
- connectivity with South Bank and South Brisbane Stations (both important providers to recreational, commercial and educational precincts)
- relief facilities for increased Ipswich and North Coast services that wil occur with corridor extensions to Springfield/Ripley, Kippa Ring (sic)  and Sunshine Coast
- opportunities for emergency use of the diversion for other lines and other rollingstock

The inner city rail infrastructure requires an holistic expansion and this really suggests an approach that serves all current incoming lines.
Perhaps a way to achieve this is to combine a wooloongabba/CBD/Spring Hill/Herston and Newstead/Airport link with a tunnel under the existing alignments. Imagine a CBD station with perhaps 3 levels of platforms!!

My 2 pesos worth for lunch!!

[Derwan]

I'm with Brad on this one.

The Government's proposal allows for trains to go underground before Bowen Hills, with platforms below ground at Bowen Hills - thus relieving the so-called "choke point" mentioned in the article.  The consultant's proposal allows absolutely no flexibility in which line to run to/from on the north side - instead channelling all tunnel trains to/from Ferny Grove.  While it might be a busy line, it is nothing compared to the sum of the Caboolture, Nambour, North Coast, Shorncliffe, Airport and Doomben lines - which would all be able to run on existing infrastructure or the new tunnels.

As for the cost - as "Col" put it on the Courier Mail website:

The $14 billion price tag was for TWO tunnels, one from Fairfield / Park Rd to Bowen Hills, the other from Toowong to Bowen Hills. Of these, the 2nd stage tunnel is significantly longer and more technically challenging, costing well over half the total cost.

To then say that a single tunnel plan, incorporating only the cheaper & easier of the two routes, is less than half the cost of the full project is a statement of the obvious.