Qld Parliament E-Petition Light rail Ingham - Townsville

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=3893

Queensland Parliament E-Petition

URGENT CONSIDERATION OF LIGHT RAIL BETWEEN INGHAM AND TOWNSVILLE

TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland
Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House, the lack of long-term planning for transport infrastructure between Ingham and Townsville.

The concerns are most pronounced on Woolcock Street, which is frequently congested in multiple areas. Projects presently underway or in planning between Townsville and Ingham are not required to allow for future transport options such as light rail and are presently limited to road infrastructure. The benefits of light rail to link Ingham to Townsville would allow freer access for those unable to drive and provide an alternative option should the Bruce Highway be closed.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to adjust any current and future TMR projects between Ingham and Townsville to allow railway corridors for a light-rail project.

[achiruel]

Seems a pretty far-fetched idea, considering there's a barely-used heavy rail line between the two towns already. The distance is probably far too long for light rail, and the density isn't there. Given the relatively low traffic on the line, maybe some kind of suburban/interurban rail service should be considered. 2-car DMUs should suffice.

Going north from Townsville, there could be stations at West End, Garbutt, Bohle, Burdell, Deeragun, and Jensen. That would be the limit of suburban service. South of Townsville, you could put stations at Railway Estate, Idalia, Cluden and Stuart.

For the interurban, Townsville, then Jensen, Bluewater, Rollingstone, Mutarnee, Toobanna, and Ingham.

Probably stil pretty  but more realistic than a LR because the track is already in place.

[Jonno]

https://twitter.com/jedwinmok/status/1648824076377661440?