Level crossings and Grade separation - level crossing removal

[Cleveland Line]

^ yes realise that thanks.  Just highlighting the folly of the two separate projects.

Other jurisdictions this would be a no-brainer of course to do it properly, not another half-baked outcome.

Grade separation and station upgrade as one project.

Yep they can't even get they timed to happen at the same time. So likely just at the station reopens the level crossing works will cause more disruption 

[Cleveland Line]

Long term solution for Lindum level crossing- change.org petition

The Lindum Crossing upgrade is going ahead without community consultation. Residents aren't happy with the short term solution that won't fix the problem. Traffic lights and poorly designed u-turn facilities will only add to congestion, especially with the extra houses being built in the area.

Let's not waste money and actually fix Lindum Crossing properly.


https://www.change.org/p/long-term-solution-for-lindum-crossing?recruiter=162521354&recruited_by_id=ff9f2280-4dc6-11e4-a5c3-19d0cc786681

I do applaud the creators creativity in the their account name - 'Lin dumbcrossing' 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Closing level crossings

19th February 2024

The recent level crossing crash at the Fairlie Terrace Salisbury (1) level crossing begs the question as to why that level crossing has not been closed off as there is grade separation at that location. Other possible level crossing closures are Todds Road Lawnton (2), Stanley Street East Coorparoo (3), and Arbor Street Ferny Grove (4).  Grade separation is costly.

Some interesting facts from Melbourne :

2014 - 2022 there were 50 level crossings removals of which 3 were closures (closed off)

2022 - 2025 there will be 25 level crossings removals of which 2 are closures (closed off)

2023 - 2025 there will be a further 10 level crossings removals of which 4 are closures (closed off)

2025 - 2030 additional 25 level crossings removals of which 4 are closures (closed off)

It is important that the Level Crossing removal program for SEQ is advanced, but TMR and Queensland Rail need to consider what level crossings can be closed off as well.  There may well be other level crossings suitable for closure besides the four we have highlighted. Where appropriate, pedestrian and cycling underpasses can be provided.

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

References:

1. Fairlie Tce, Salisbury

https://maps.app.goo.gl/iDAd75nerKYgAKDn9

2. Todds Road, Lawnton

https://maps.app.goo.gl/WoGxnm7cZKBGCkrZ8

3. Stanley Street E, Coorparoo

https://maps.app.goo.gl/aMNrMhNhJEjtrFyV7

4. Arbor Street, Ferny Grove

- will require a road to be built on western side of station to Samford Road

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MPvZJuSw9ifxfmJf6

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

Closing level crossings 19th February 2024 The recent level crossing crash at the Fairlie Terrace Salisbury (1) level...

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on Sunday, 18 February 2024

[ozbob]

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1759324906721005979?s=20

[verbatim9]

Mirage News ---> https://www.miragenews.com/construction-underway-on-beams-road-level-1186558/


Construction begins on the Beams Road level crossing overpass

[ozbob]

https://x.com/atsbgovau/status/1764527766614200587?s=20

[ozbob]

https://x.com/CatherineKingMP/status/1765162135087362558?s=20

[ozbob]

PN ad

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Boom arm strikes risking lives and making thousands of Queenslanders late

Queensland Rail has released shocking footage of distracted and impatient drivers smashing through boom arms at level crossings. 

Queensland Rail Executive General Manager South East Queensland (SEQ) Operations Rob Hill said the CCTV shows drivers ignoring safety signs and signals as they tried to beat trains across the tracks and vehicles queuing up over rail lines, leaving them in a dangerous situation.

"Unfortunately, drivers are ignoring the warning signs and driving through a crossing when the boom arms are lowering or raising," Hill said.

"As a result, we're seeing damage to safety infrastructure or a near miss with an oncoming train.
"Aside from the danger to lives, damaging boom arm infrastructure is costly, leaves the level crossing exposed to traffic and causes disruptions to those catching the trains and to other motorists." ...

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2024/592-2024.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 592
Asked on 21 May 2024

MR P RUSSO ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS AND MINISTER FOR
DIGITAL SERVICES (HON B MELLISH)

QUESTION:

Will the Minister advise the progress on upgrading the Boundary Road, Coopers Plains rail level
crossing and advise of the benefits of the upgrade for residents on the southside of Brisbane,
including in my electorate of Toohey?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Toohey for the question.

Design of the preferred option to address safety concerns and reduce congestion at the
Boundary Road, Coopers Plains rail level crossing is well underway, with site investigation works
completed in mid-December 2023.

The preferred option includes an overpass of the existing rail line at Boundary Road with an
elevated three-way intersection connecting Boundary Road and Orange Grove Road.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is managing complexities around designing
a three-span road over the rail bridge, across a live rail corridor, and an elevated intersection of
Boundary Road and Orange Grove Road within a heavily constrained corridor and expects to
complete the project design later this year.

The Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) 2024–25 to 2027–28
includes an allocation of $399 million of funding towards the project. Current funding
commitments are:
. Australian Government – $179.5 million
. Queensland Government – $179.5 million
. Brisbane City Council – $40 million.

The current total project funding meets the business case cost estimate for the project of
$399 million.

TMR has started engaging with owners and tenants of properties directly impacted by the planned
works and expects to release the project design to the community by around September 2024.
TMR will commence procurement to award a construction contract in 2025.

Removing the level rail crossing will not only significantly improve safety for all road users but will
also reduce travel times for motorists and train passengers alike, by increasing the reliability of
the rail network and busting congestion on Boundary Road.

The project will also improve local connectivity by providing new traffic connections between
Henley Street and Beenleigh Road – on the western side of the rail corridor, and Babbidge Street
and Breton Street – on the eastern side. A new local access off Beenleigh Road will also be built
to maintain access to properties on the southern side of Boundary Road between Beenleigh Road
and Halt Street. New active transport facilities, including on and off-road cycling connections and
dedicated pedestrian paths, will provide safe access for pedestrians and people riding their bikes.

The Miles Government is delivering its ninth record transport and roads infrastructure program in
a row, as detailed in QTRIP 2024–25 to 2027–28, which outlines $37.4 billion in investment over
the next four years and is estimated to support an average of 28,000 direct jobs over the life of
the program. Of this, $4.724 billion is committed across the Department of Transport and Main
Roads' Metropolitan Region, estimated to support an average of 3490 direct jobs over the life of
the program.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Resident groups campaign for the removal of two level crossings $

Brisbane residents are still waiting for work to begin to remove two level crossings that were first identified as congestion and traffic safety hazards in 2012.

Community crossing "cutting crews" have been established in Coorparoo and Coopers Plains by local residents who are campaigning for politicians to honour previous promises. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1816490274182545579

[ozbob]

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1816498251828515056

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane's rail level crossing bottlenecks back in spotlight $

Measures to improve traffic flow around 14 rail level crossings in south-east Queensland will be put back on track through a $10 million planning study, Transport Minister Bart Mellish has announced.

Mellish had previously flagged a "three levels of government" approach to removing the problematic crossings, which slow traffic and public transport, before the completion of Cross River Rail works.

Mellish released the new funding approach on Wednesday morning. ...

 

[ozbob]

Government Statement

SEQ Level Crossing Program 2024 to deliver safer roads and ease congestion

1st August 2024

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/101001

The South East Queensland (SEQ) Level Crossing Program 2024 is the Queensland Government's new coordinated approach, towards finding cost-effective solutions to some of our most problematic level crossings across the South East. The program aims to reduce congestion and improve the performance, safety and reliability of the transport network.

The program highlights 14 level crossings with solutions either currently under construction, in design or planning.

TMR has dedicated staff to deliver this program, including $10 million to do planning studies on level crossings found to be a priority.

A planning study is the first step towards a business case for each crossing and establishes a list of short and long-term solutions for each crossing. ...

[Jonno]

Fingers crossed they are not all road overpasses!!

[ozbob]

Government Statement

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/101055

Red light level crossing cameras to be trialed as part of new Queensland Level Crossing Safety Strategy

9th August 2024

The Queensland Government has released the Queensland Level Crossing Safety Strategy, outlining a 10-year strategy aimed at making level crossings across the state safer for rail and road users.

A three-year Action Plan is being launched alongside the strategy, during Rail Safety Week, which centres around improving safety based on:

. enforcement
. education
. technology and innovation
. data capture and coordination

More > https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/101055

====

DTMR Level crossing safety > https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/safety/rail-safety/level-crossing-safety

[ozbob]

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1821917598763905349

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

Government Statement: Red light level crossing cameras to be trialed as part of new Queensland Level Crossing Safety...

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on Friday 9 August 2024

[ozbob]

Queenslanders' dangerous close calls on rail lines | 7NEWS

[ozbob]

Government Statement

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/101355

Coopers Plains rail crossing removal one step closer to construction

16th September 2024

Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services
The Honourable Bart Mellish

A traffic bottleneck caused by a level crossing at Coopers Plains is set to go, with construction on a new overpass to get underway in 2025.

The design has been completed, giving the green light for the Boundary Road project to go ahead.

The $399 million project will improve safety and congestion by building a new elevated three-way intersection over the rail crossing, connecting Boundary Road and Orange Grove Road.

New active transport facilities will also be built including connections for bike riding, and dedicated pedestrian footpaths.

The project means better train services for rail passengers, and travel times for drivers by allowing for the through-flow of trains and cars without a level crossing.

The Australian and Queensland governments have both committed $179.5 million to ensure the project is delivered, with Brisbane City Council contributing $40 million.

The Queensland Department of Main Roads and Transport will now go to procurement, with construction companies asked to register their interest in building the new rail overpass, by late-September 2024.

For more information, visit https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/boundary-road-coopers%20plains-rail-level-crossing-funding-commitment 

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

"The Boundary Road rail level crossing currently carries more than a thousand vehicles per hour during peak periods.

"An elevated crossing will not only improve safety, but also reduce travel times and cater for future growth in this part of Brisbane."

Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish:

"Today is a monumental milestone for this project. I know the community has been waiting for a solution to put an end to the accidents and congestion at the existing level crossing, and we will deliver exactly that with this new overpass.

"Once complete, the overpass will not only improve safety and bust congestion, it will also improve the liveability of the local community by providing connectivity with new dedicated pedestrian and bike riding connections. This will allow Coopers Plains residents to walk or ride their bikes safely to either side of the rail line.

"Queensland is growing, and with more people expected to move into our great state, projects like this will prepare our transport network for future growth.

"Residents will not have to wait for too long before works can begin. Enabling works, which will include vegetation clearing, land preparation works, property demolitions, and service relocations for electricity, gas, water and telecommunications are expected to start by mid-2025.

These activities are needed to prepare the site for main construction, which is planned to start soon after."

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Moreton Graham Perrett:

"Removing the level crossing will ensure local residents will be able to travel along Boundary Road safely now and into the future, and benefit thousands of rail and road users every day.

"That's why the Australian Government is proudly investing $179.5 million to make this important project happen."

Quotes attributable to Peter Russo, Member for Toohey

"Removing the Boundary Road level crossing will deliver a safer and quicker commute for my community and include paths for pedestrians allowing residents to get around easier.

"This project is pivotal for our suburbs and that's why the Miles Government is getting on with it". 

Quotes attributable to Infrastructure Chair Cr Andrew Wines:

"Our Council has a standing commitment to invest $40 million towards the State Government's level crossing removal projects within Brisbane.

"As one of Australia's fastest growing cities, we need all levels of government working together to help keep Brisbane moving.

"By removing another level crossing in our suburbs, we can make it even easier for all road users to get around our city sooner and safer."

====

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1835710596605698137

[Jonno]

Ah the Great Walls of Coopers Plains!

Not a metre of separated bike lane in sight!

MORE ROADS!!!

90% of trips by car here we come!!

[ozbob]

^ DTMR is a roads outfit.  At times, I think they only know one way to remove level crossing ... MOAR ROADS!!

[ozbob]

Exciting progress at Beams Road! 🎉 Piling is now complete for the first of two bridges that will replace the Beams Road...

Posted by Transport and Main Roads Queensland on Sunday 29 September 2024

[SilverChased]

Good progress on Beams Road. Just took this photo.