Article: Albanese reaffirms election rail commitments

[ozbob]

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Albanese reaffirms election rail commitments

Albanese reaffirms election rail commitments

Federal transport minister Anthony Albanese has reaffirmed the government's commitment to election-eve rail investment promises, including the highly controversial Epping to Parramatta rail link.
 
"During the recent election campaign, rail feature prominently," Mr Albanese said.  "Indeed, Federal Labor pledged billions of dollars in new investment, adding to the unprecedented capital works program which is already modernising and expanding the nation's rail infrastructure.

"Here are the four major rail commitments we made during the 2010 election campaign:"

Moreton Bay rail link

The federal government will partner with the Anna Bligh's Labor Government and the local council to build the Moreton Bay Rail Link, a $1.15 billion project first proposed in 1895.

Once completed in 2016, this new 12.6 kilometre rail line will connect the Redcliffe Peninsula to Petrie via six new stations at Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Mango Hill (North Lakes), Kinsellas Road, Rothwell and Kippa-Ring.

Up to 84,000 Brisbane residents, including those living on the Redcliffe Peninsula, will soon have access to a quicker, cleaner way of getting to and from work and around their city.

Preconstruction activities will start next year (2011).

Parramatta to Epping Rail Link

The government will also partner with the NSW Government to complete the missing link in Sydney's urban rail network, the Parramatta to Epping Rail Link.

This $2.6 billion project will construct a new 14 kilometre line between Parramatta and Epping, with five existing stations to be upgraded and a new one built at Rosehill-Camellia.

Once completed in 2017, the new line will link Sydney's second CBD of Parramatta with the City's commercial and residential growth areas around Macquarie Park, North Ryde and Chatswood.

Preconstruction activities will start in next year (2011).

Inland Rail

"Thirdly, we will build the 1,700 kilometre Inland Rail Link connecting Brisbane to Melbourne via the Central West of New South Wales," Mr Albanese said.

The laying of this line will generate new jobs and spur a new wave of economic development in the regional communities along the route including Parkes, Moree and Toowoomba.

It will also take trucks off the highways and pressure off the existing coastal line through Sydney.

This commitment from Federal Labor follows the completion of the Inland Rail Study which we commissioned shortly after coming to office. After two years of intensive work, the Study concluded the project has long term merit and would deliver transit times of less than 22 hours, putting it on a competitive footing with road.

Preconstruction activities will begin in 2014.

High-speed Rail

Over the next 18 months, the government will undertake a $20 million detailed feasibility study to determine the economic viability of a high speed rail network along the east coast of Australia.

This study will build on previous work by identifying potential rail corridors, undertaking geotechnical and engineering investigations, and doing the necessary financial and economic modelling.

[SteelPan]

In theory - all positive stuff!  In practice, I'll believe it - particularly the Redcliffe line, when my backside hits the seat of a train with Redcliffe up on its destination board...but, this is a POSITIVE first step!   

[Jonno]

I would lime to see more rail hit the ballast on the Inland Rail line ASAP as well.

[colinw]

... when my backside hits the seat of a train with Redcliffe up on its destination board...

I already have!  Many years ago I rode a Shorncliffe service that had KIPPA-RING on the desto.  Mistake, or driver with a sense of humour?

I have also seen Rosewood services go out with GRANDCHESTER displayed - apparently the original EMUs had a Grandchester option on their blinds.  Needs a long extension cable ...

[longboi]

... when my backside hits the seat of a train with Redcliffe up on its destination board...

I already have!  Many years ago I rode a Shorncliffe service that had KIPPA-RING on the desto.  Mistake, or driver with a sense of humour?

I have also seen Rosewood services go out with GRANDCHESTER displayed - apparently the original EMUs had a Grandchester option on their blinds.  Needs a long extension cable ...

You can still put those up on the newer electronic destos, along with a bunch of other interesting destinations.