Darra Station - upgrade

[ozbob]

Railway Parade in the final stages of resurfacing.  The new character of Darra rail station and surrounds is starting to materialise ..











Photographs R Dow 29th August 2010

[ozbob]

Works on Railway Parade took a little bit longer than planned. Centre island still being worked on this morning.  One way traffic flow.

Stairs to subway UP side were opened around 10.30am.

[ozbob]

JULIE ATTWOOD MP
MEMBER FOR MT OMMANEY
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs

20th August 2010

MEDIA RELEASE

New footbridge for Darra Station

Work started on Saturday to make way for a new footbridge at Darra station.

Member for Mount Ommaney, Julie Attwood MP said the existing 50 year old footbridge is being dismantled and will be replaced with a new footbridge as part of the upgrade being completed at Darra station.

"The existing footbridge at Darra station has reached the end of its economic life and needs to be replaced," Ms Attwood said.

"Construction of the new footbridge is expected to be completed in December 2010.

"During construction, access to the station platforms will be via the subway at the Brisbane city end of Darra station.

"The new footbridge will be a light weight, 34 metre long, covered steel truss structure. It will include better lighting and CCTV to provide greater security for passengers and the local community," Ms Attwood said.

"When completed, the Darra station upgrade will provide refurbished platforms, an additional new platform, improved disability access via new lifts from a renewed subway and 44 additional commuter car parking spaces.

"Replacing the footbridge at Darra station marks the last stage of construction of the Queensland Government's $219 million Corinda to Darra Rail Upgrade project, which will improve public transport for residents in Brisbane's western suburbs."

For more information about the Corinda to Darra Rail Upgrade project, please call 1800 680 385 (freecall) or visit www.qr.com.au/seqip.

ENDS

[ozbob]

Had a look at Darra today.  All coming together nicely.  Great to see a temporary go card reader on platforms 2/3 east in addition to the one on the stairs, thanks TransLink.  Went in Wednesday I think.  Early works have started for the new footbridge (west) as well.

Lifts not that far away either by the looks of things.



















Photographs R Dow 3rd September 2010

[david]

New LCD PIDs in operation at Darra this morning. Interesting to note that the PIDs on Platform 2 are also operational

[ozbob]

Darra Station









Photographs mufreight 10th September 2010

[#Metro]

Love the busway style train stations. Very good!

[david]

Saw some signs today of the artists impressions of the footbridge going in at Darra. Looks very Milton-esque.

Meanwhile, I happened to notice that the timetable on Platform 2/3 had  "effective December 2010" 
(most likely a typo, as there weren't any changes to the timetable as it currently operates - unless i'm being too optimistic)

[mufreight]

Possibly platform changes with Ipswich bound all stations trains using the third line from Corinda and platform 2 instead of 3 as at present, check the platform numbers.

[ozbob]

There is a track closure this weekend Corinda to Rosewood,  I am going down to Darra later this morning for a 'bo-peep' ...  might go out to Richlands too.

Track closure details --> http://www.translink.com.au/servicechange.php?1282194225

If I win lotto tonight, I might go and buy up half of Darra.  Darra is going to get one of the best rail services in the nation in the not too distant future.  Which means more feeder buses should be put on to utilise this public transport asset.  

A 103 bus at Darra



Photographs R Dow 2nd September 2010

That rail quad over the bus shoulder  is potentially equivalent to a 60 lane highway ...

[ozbob]

Busy weekend at Darra Station.  Subway closed to allow painting and finishing.  The lift to platforms 2/3 may be open Monday morning.
Shuttle mini bus running to and from Bowls Club as subway closed and it is a bit far for some through Manburgh Tce pedestrian access.
Pile driver machine for the footings for the new footbridge has finished on the UP side now on the DOWN side.
























Artist impressions of the new footbridge - very grand bridge!  







Photographs R Dow 11th September 2010

[longboi]

I just can't help but think of Doomben station when I see that footbridge  Hopefully it will look good when its done...

[Golliwog]

I like the look of the footbridge, but am I correct in saying that shows the signals above the tracks right infront of the overpass?

[ozbob]

Yes,  the new signal gantry (already in place).

[O_128]

I like the look of the footbridge, but am I correct in saying that shows the signals above the tracks right infront of the overpass?

whats wrong with a nice busway style bridge?

[ozbob]

Darra taking shape, some track vehicles  waiting to finish off the down track where the old points removed.











Photographs R Dow 12th September 2010

[Golliwog]

I like the look of the footbridge, but am I correct in saying that shows the signals above the tracks right infront of the overpass?

whats wrong with a nice busway style bridge?

Not sure exactly what you mean with that (my bad though, I'm very very tired). Theres nothing wrong with a busway style bridge, or this bridge. As long as width wise its closer to the ped overpass at Park Rd over the busway part than the overpass at Park Rd of the rail tracks I'll be happy. The wider bridge just makes it more open and inviting and less "you must march single file so everyone can get past going the other way".

[O_128]

I like the look of the footbridge, but am I correct in saying that shows the signals above the tracks right infront of the overpass?

whats wrong with a nice busway style bridge?

Not sure exactly what you mean with that (my bad though, I'm very very tired). Theres nothing wrong with a busway style bridge, or this bridge. As long as width wise its closer to the ped overpass at Park Rd over the busway part than the overpass at Park Rd of the rail tracks I'll be happy. The wider bridge just makes it more open and inviting and less "you must march single file so everyone can get past going the other way".

thats what i mean just a nice busway bridge like buranda or etc would be nice.

[Golliwog]

But thats really all this one is? The weird looking grey thing is just the signals which are infront of the overpass, not actually anything on the overpass trying to be arty.

[ozbob]

The Darra Street Party is planned for the 5th November.  This might be a big day for the new Darra rail station too!

--> http://darracommunitygroup.org/index.html

[ozbob]

The ballast train today came into Darra via Darra West and the UP SUB loop, into platform 1 road Darra.  Then pushed back onto the UP branch line.  This was the first train to do this.

Lifts now operational platforms 2/3 Darra and go card reader next to the lifts as well.





















Photographs R Dow 13th September 2010

[ozbob]

All the fences have been removed from the platforms.  The lift for platform 4 will be operational tomorrow morning.

Noted SMU207 (driver training) running DOWN on the MAIN UP (platform 3) as well.  Sign of things to come with the bi directional capability now.

The station and the precinct is starting to look a lot better. I would not be surprised to see trains running on the subs (up and down) in the not too distant future ...

With the fences gone the new station character starts to form.





Subway - Welcome to Darra English and Vietnamese.  Darra will be a popular location for a feed I reckon ... particularly with regular sparks from town.














The last remaining remnant of the old foot bridge




The down side footing for the new foot bridge















Photographs R Dow 19th September 2010

[ozbob]

Darra update

















Photographs R Dow 25th September 2010

[david]

Darra update



Photographs R Dow 25th September 2010

I think that this is another example of poor planning at bus-rail interchanges. Look how far away that bus stop is from the shelter! Couldn't they extend the shelter to the bus stop??? It is also terribly frustrating when people get picked up/dropped off near that area and have no consideration for the buses trying to use the stop! There are ample kiss-and-ride bays further up near the ramp that recently opened.

Also, I have heard rumours that some test trains could be running up and down the new tracks in mid-late October. There is a closure notice on Translink for the 23-24 October. Perhaps 25 October is the long-awaited opening date? Can anyone confirm/deny?

[ozbob]

Expect that platforms 2 and 3 might come into use then David.  This would allow for final works platform 4.  Expect Richlands to kick in January 2011.

We have observed some down trains on the main up (platform 3 Darra) crew training more than likely.

[QGT]

I went to Darra Station yesterday and I got some shots of the station looks great so far 

















Cheers,
QGT

[ozbob]

Track closure this weekend - Sherwood to Rosewood.

Looks like platform 2 is ready to go to me ..












The two columns for the new footbridge are seen













Photographs R Dow 3rd October 2010

[ClintonL94]

We are getting closer and closer to this project being finished! Would any extra services start from here in the morning and terminate here in the peaks? The trains that start/end at Corinda may start/endt at Darra?

[ozbob]

Not sure what is going to happen yet Clinton.  Hopeful that Richlands will kick in January 2011 as well.  Changes coming ...

[QRIG]

Also noticed there is a gap in the OHTWE on the flyover the new 'substation' and neutral section just west of Darra. Won't be seeing any trains on the section until that gap is filled I guess.

[david]

My gut feeling is that they will delay the opening of the new tracks from Corinda to Darra until Richlands is finished and then have one massive fanfare, rather than doing it twice in a short period of time. Expect that Richlands will open just after Oxley station renovations are complete - i.e. February 2011

In my opinion though, if they do it this way, it'll be stupid, stupid, stupid because the Corinda to Darra section is a HUGE bottleneck and relief couldn't come early enough. I seriously hope that they open it up sometime closer to the end of this month, even if it's just to let freight through. Besides, the opening of the Helensvale to Robina duplication wasn't delayed until Varsity Lakes was completed was it??

[ozbob]

Darra, wet Saturday morning.  No major construction activities this weekend.



















Not seen that often on the Ippy, 3 car UP service leaving Darra







Photographs R Dow 9th October 2010

[ozbob]

It was confirmed at the combined CRG meeting last week that Richlands will be opening 'early next year' ...

My guess would be middle to late January.  Darra will be completed by middle of December 2010.  This might help to neutralise 'fare rage' 

Final wiring and signalling tasks to be completed (as well as the footbridge and associated works to access platforms) to go, and then the crew training.

[p858snake]

Lack of undercover seating on both the platform and the bus area?

[ozbob]

Still a bit to be done I think.  But the weather protection is not the best due to the height / shape of the platform canopies.

[david]

Lack of undercover seating on both the platform and the bus area?

You should take a look at Bus Stop B on the other side of the station.

Photographs R Dow 25th September 2010

They had to place the actual stop quite a distance away from the covered area because they forgot that the buses blocked the line of sight for pedestrians at the crossing. There have been a lot of wet people climbing onto the buses in the last couple of days. A simple extension of the covered area would be nice.

[mufreight]

Designed by the same experts who built the new platform 1 and rebuilt platforms 2 & 3 below carriage floor height. reason pigheaded stupidity, incompetence or saving money, take your pick

[ozbob]

Some more photographs around Darra.  A lot of pax heading into town today.























Photographs R Dow 17th October 2010

[ozbob]

Track closure Corinda - Rosewood 23 - 24 October.

New footbridge for Darra is being positioned this weekend.  Sections being off loaded from trucks.  Number of 100 tonne cranes in place.

Signals have the white crosses removed on the UP and DOWN sub lines.  Looking good for next week for some trains?  Freight to help settle the tracks??

Wiring registration has been going on as well.

Found a few lost punters.  No staff assisting pax with the altered arrangements this weekend.































Photographs R Dow 23rd October 2010

[Golliwog]

Using precast sections certainly allows construction to proceed much faster, at least on-site anyway. Can't wait to see this finished.