Kuraby to Beenleigh capacity improvement (Logan - Gold Coast Faster Rail)

[Rail Rookie]

Would it be worthwhile looking to relocate the all stop beenleigh line between Beenleigh and Logan Central? The current line can't really have much development East to it, due to logan river/flooding. The proposed new line (red) would follow Logan River Rd to Current Kingston Station, where it would tunnel to Logan Central.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1_L8XgSolWDyRnCYZMTwWlC5zf8TwJouw&usp=sharing

Pros New Line:

• Would still service Bethania and Edens Landing Suburbs
• Areas surrounding stations could be better developed, due to less flooding
• Would service growing suburbs (Holmview, Bahrs Scrub), but also service established surburbs better (Crestmead, Marsden)

Cons:

• Resumption of land north of Logan River Rd (200 homes and businesses)
• cost of building a new line, compared to using current line
• alignment isn't that straight, but does this matter for all stop stations?

The express line would stick with the idea of having viaduct to Loganlea, then tunnel to Logan Central - Kuraby Station.

Maybe better bus connections would do the trick, compared to this idea.

[Aydin]

The proposed alignment for the current 'Faster Rail' project will make your suggested alignment difficult to connect as an almost 'S' bend will be needed after servicing Trinder Park station. After Woodridge Station; however, I'd love to eventually see a tunnel/viaduct connecting Logan Central with Loganlea and then direct to Beenleigh.
In my opinion, your all stops alignment sees some merit - I just don't see it happening until about 2050. TMR isn't going to fund another project targeting the same area as one they're in the process of completing for a few decades at the very least - if they do, communities might actually start to realise they don't know how to do public transportation well.

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Plans to move Beenleigh train station to town square despite $5m upgrade $

Days after $5 million of beautification works have been completed at a town square known as 'punch-up park', plans have been revealed to dig it up for a train station.

A grassy town square, known as "punch-up park" outside a magistrates court, could be dug up for a train station despite millions of dollars spent beautifying the area and making it safe.

TransLink and the Transport Department are considering plans to move the Beenleigh train station 500m from Alamein St to under the Beenleigh Magistrates Court and town square.

The move would allow the Beenleigh line to accommodate faster trains as part of the Cross River Rail project, being built to cater for visitors to the 2032 Olympics.

It would bring the train station under the Beenleigh town centre, the target of complaints about high drug and crime rates.

In the past year, Logan City Council spent $5 million in an effort to beautify the area and tidy up its reputation as a crime hotspot.

The money was spent on hanging 400 aluminium shade discs over the square, installing lights, street art, plants and seating in the area with works completed this month.

But all that would be in jeopardy if the train station were to be moved.

TransLink said the idea to move the station was a public suggestion being considered with a decision to be made this year after further public consultation. ....

[verbatim9]

This is a good idea if it ends up cost neutral and less disruption to build a new purpose built station at Beenleigh Town Sq.

I totally support the case of shutting Holmview station as well, for reasons previously discussed.

Hopefully, they can accelerate the construction at Beenleigh, Loganlea and Trinder park sections to have them operational by 2024-5.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> $1.12b plan for faster rail between Brisbane and Gold Coast $

Additional tracks will be laid, level crossings will be ­bulldozed and stations upgraded as part of a $1.121bn plan to deliver faster rail services between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

In her first Olympics transport infrastructure announcement for the Brisbane 2032 Games, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will on Tuesday lay out her ambition to streamline services for commuters and add more frequent services. But exactly how many minutes commuters will save in travel time is still being modelled.

"As we plan and build for the Olympics, this project is all about making sure people spend less time commuting and more time at home with their families and enjoying our great Queensland lifestyle," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"We've seen significant growth in South East Queensland over the last two decades and we expect this to continue with an extra 1.2 million people living in the region by 2036.

"My government is committed to seeing transport times between the Gold Coast and Brisbane reduced, as we continue to see the population increase in key suburban areas along the rail corridor." ...

This is just the Logan - Gold Coast Faster rail project ... 

>> https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/logan-and-gold-coast-faster-rail

Key features

Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail will deliver:

double the capacity of the Gold Coast Rail Line

approximately 20km of new tracks and rail systems between Kuraby Station and Beenleigh Station, increasing the corridor from 2 tracks to 4 tracks

new train signalling technology between Salisbury and Varsity Lakes

7 station upgrades and 2 station relocations to improve accessibility, safety and amenity, including platform straightening, and new pedestrian bridges

a new Loganlea Station will be delivered as a part of the Loganlea Station Relocation and Park 'n' Ride Expansion project

a new Trinder Park Station relocated to the straightened section of track to improve train speeds and connectivity to the rail network

5 level crossing removals at Kuraby, Woodridge, Bethania, Holmview and Beenleigh

Park 'n' Ride upgrades, including a new multi-story Park 'n' Ride at Beenleigh Station with an integrated bus interchange

extension of the cattle siding at Holmview

duplication of the rail tunnel under Beenleigh Town Square

dedicated active transport facilities and paths along the corridor.

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1495768704981819396

[ozbob]

 

A big announcement for something that has been out there for ~ six months. 

Media, you need to do some homework ...

Government Statement:
Logan-Gold Coast rail plan for faster, more frequent trains
3rd September 2021
https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/4855028141178001

Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project - what do you think of these suggestions?
23rd September 2021
https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/4920117228002425

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1495848297143025664

[#Metro]

Is it faster rail or Faster Rail? 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1495854414074368001

[ozbob]

Been invited to do an interview shortly (6.40am) ABC Radio Brisbane Breakfast.

[ozbob]

Been invited to do an interview shortly (6.40am) ABC Radio Brisbane Breakfast.

Completed, hopefully I will be able to download it later.

Key points raised:

• ' Faster rail ' is NOT fast rail
• ETCS being extended from Salisbury through to Varsity Lakes
• Five level crossing removals
• Quadruplication of the track Kuraby - Beenleigh, allows more trains. Track straightening around Trinder Park. Shorter journey times between Beenleigh and Brisbane.
• Mentioned money could be saved by relocating Beenleigh station
• DDA upgrades to stations
• Sunshine Coast line languishing ...

[Cazza]

So how much tunnelling and realignment can $1.1 billion get you instead of $350 million?

[Jonno]

Park n rides!!!! The 1960's called and what it's idea back!!!

[timh]

So how much tunnelling and realignment can $1.1 billion get you instead of $350 million?

The $350 was for "pre construction works". So likely that means relocation of services and land resumptions. $2.2bn (which includes fed funding match) is sadly, likely just enough to cover their original plans, not any additional stuff we've suggested

EDIT: I may have just been corrected by Gazza in a different thread. Perhaps 2.2bn is enough for additional realignments...

Sent from my SM-G780F using Tapatalk

[Stillwater]

Helloooooooo! Sunshine Coast?   

[ozbob]

Been invited to an interview on ABC Gold Coast at 8.30am.

[Gazza]

Helloooooooo! Sunshine Coast?   

This is where you make a submission to the Southern SC Transport Strategy that just came out, and specifically make a point that Logan/GC Faster Rail is getting funding more easily and quicker than the SC.
I will add this to the RBOT Submission too.

In terms of realignment, from the GCB:

The recently completed business case puts this project at a total cost of $2.598bn

I took an educated guess and got $2.1b for the project as described to to date.
$2.9b was our estimate for the version with new viaducts and tunnels.

Too close to tell IMO.

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/brisbane/programs/breakfast/breakfast/13756172
1h:36 mark.

[ozbob]

Been invited to do an interview shortly (6.40am) ABC Radio Brisbane Breakfast.

Interview 22nd February 2022 ABC Radio Brisbane Breakfast Hosts Craig Zonca & Loretta Ryan and Robert Dow RBoT

Logan - Gold Coast Faster Rail

>> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abcbrisrd_22feb22.mp3  MP3 8.7MB

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1495902336136486913

[Gazza]

From the premiers annoucment in Parliament just now.
-First project to support the 2032 games.
-"Up to 4 min time saving."
(Unclear if thats 4 mins saved at Bethania on the all stops trains held there sometimes, or 4 mins on all GC services)

Currently its 16 min journey.
So could be reduced to 12 mins.
We estimated 10.5 mins was possible with tunnels and viaducts.

All-stop Beenleigh trains need to be held to 1 side for approximately 4 minutes to allow Gold Coast express trains to pass through during peak periods.

[ozbob]

Been invited to an interview on ABC Gold Coast at 8.30am.

Completed this interview, might be able to download later.

Doing interviews with 7 and 9 TV News shortly.

[Gazza]

It's a good opportunity to push the hook that we want them to build towards providing a rail service that is faster than driving.
All the elements of the project are there to do this.

Turn it from faster rail to fast rail.

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/94521

Qld fires starter's gun on Olympics infrastructure with over a billion dollars for faster rail to the GC
22 February 2022

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Olympics
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

The Palaszczuk Government has committed an additional $1.121 billion to deliver faster rail services between the Brisbane, Logan, Beenleigh and the Gold Coast.

As the first piece of Olympics transport infrastructure, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the major project would see more tracks laid and level crossings removed to support faster, more frequent train services.

"Delivering new transport infrastructure that that will create jobs and ease congestion are central to our COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan," the Premier said.

"As we plan and build for the Olympics, this project is all about making sure people spend less time commuting and more time at home with their families and enjoying our great Queensland lifestyle.

"We've seen significant growth in South East Queensland over the last two decades and we expect this to continue with an extra 1.2 million people living in the region by 2036.

"My government is committed to seeing transport times between the Gold Coast and Brisbane reduced, as we continue to see the population increase in key suburban areas along the rail corridor.

"It's only thanks to our strong health response and economic recovery that we're able to deliver important projects like this that will be critical to serving our growing population and ensuring we're prepared for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

The Premier said the project had potential to create about 900 jobs.

"Today we're calling on the Federal Government to match our additional $1.121 billion funding commitment to ensure we can deliver this important project for the people of Queensland," she said.

"To ensure South East Queensland can continue to grow, we must keep evolving our rail network so it plays a bigger role in moving people from A to B.

"We continue to see progress made on the transformational Cross River Rail project, which today's investment will complement – meaning faster, more frequent journeys."

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said trains between Kuraby and Beenleigh currently share a single track in each direction.

"We are limited in the number of peak services we run each day, but by duplicating the track between Kuraby and Beenleigh stations, we can increase capacity through the region," Mr Bailey said.

"Local motorists will also benefit with five level crossings to be removed and nine stations will be upgraded – vastly improving the amenities available to local commuters.

"Our government has shown its vision and commitment to investing in transformative rail projects that deliver improve services for Queenslanders and our $1.121 billion commitment is just another example of that."

Mr Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government's funding commitment will benefit key areas in the growing South East.

"We know that this project will deliver an abundance of economic and social benefits to the Logan region, and for all those who use the rail line to travel between the Gold Coast and Brisbane," he said.

"Thanks to our strong health response we've seen an even stronger economic recovery, which means we have more Queenslanders back at work and school, and more trips on public transport.

"In the week that school went back, there was a 50 per cent increase public transport use and we expect this number will continue to grow as we get back on track.

"That's why investing in this infrastructure now - leading to jobs creation through construction and operation, while providing better access to public transport for the growing Logan community.

"We saw some great results from recent community consultation, demonstrating that locals are engaged and helping to shape the future design of this important overhaul."

Mr Bailey said the Australian Government had already committed $178.1 million in preconstruction funding.

The recently completed business case puts this project at a total cost of $2.598 billion," he said.

"As with our previous commitment, it's important the Federal Government come to the table and honour the 50:50 funding arrangement currently in place.

"The Palaszczuk Labor Government has gone it alone on massive infrastructure projects, like Cross River Rail, and it's time the Australian Government shows its commitment to Queenslanders.

"I am committed to working closely with all levels of government to deliver this project and look forward to seeing the momentum on this project continue."

Since March 2018, Infrastructure Australia has included 'Gold Coast rail line and station improvements: Kuraby to Beenleigh' in the Infrastructure Priority List and the South East Queensland Regional Transport Plan identifies an upgrade of the Kuraby to Beenleigh section of the rail network as a priority action.

For more information, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au

ENDS

[#Metro]

Good start. Trains should be running ~ 150 km/hr on average to the GC over the length of the route and ideally 200 km/hr.

Divert some Urban Congestion Fund to level crossing removal.

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[ozbob]

Been invited to an interview on ABC Gold Coast at 8.30am.

Interview 22 Feb 22 ABC Gold Coast Mornings Host Matt Webber with Robert Dow RBoT

Logan - Gold Coast Faster Rail

>> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcgc/abcgcrd_22feb22.mp3  MP3 11.2MB

[verbatim9]

[Fares_Fair]

Great interview Robert. 
Thank you for mentioning the Sunshine Coast too.

Been invited to an interview on ABC Gold Coast at 8.30am.

Interview 22 Feb 22 ABC Gold Coast Mornings Host Matt Webber with Robert Dow RBoT

Logan - Gold Coast Faster Rail

>> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcgc/abcgcrd_22feb22.mp3  MP3 11.2MB

[ozbob]

^



I also mentioned the Sunshine Coast line in the first interview with ABC Brisbane as a well.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard Ministerial Statements

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2022/2022_02_22_DAILY.pdf

Public Transport, Rail Services

Hon. A PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Premier and Minister for the Olympics) (9.44 am): Investing
in public transport is a hallmark of good Labor governments. Today I can announce we will invest
$1.12 billion to deliver faster rail services between Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast. Through this
great project we will remove five level crossings, upgrade nine stations, laying more tracks—effectively
doubling the track between Kuraby and Beenleigh—and will increase the frequency of services
throughout SEQ, complementing the great work we are doing on Cross River Rail, Queensland's largest
ever infrastructure project.

This means more express services will run more often between Brisbane, Logan and the Gold
Coast. We believe this project will ease congestion and could shave up to four minutes off the average
train trip between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. It was great to hear Robert Dow on ABC Radio this
morning who described today's announcement as a very timely and worthwhile project.
Getting Queenslanders home quicker is important, but this project is also about planning for the
future. This is our first investment in transport infrastructure in preparation for the 2032 Olympic and
Paralympic Games. Preparing for an Olympic Games is a marathon, not a sprint. It is important that we
get out of the blocks strongly; faster rail will help us do that.

More people than ever before are realising what we have known for a long time: that Queensland
is the place to be. In the 12 months to June 2021 more than 30,000 people moved to Queensland from
the southern states—you cannot blame them, can you—the vast majority of these people settling in the
South-East, but a lot of people are going into regional parts of our state as well. We expect this to
continue, with an extra 1.2 million people living in the region by 2036. Faster rail will create around 900
jobs and will ensure Queensland remains on track to deliver the best Olympic Games of all time. We
are committed to delivering faster rail for the people of Queensland.

I want the Prime Minister on board as well. I have always said we work best when we work
together. That is why today I am also calling on the federal government to match our $1.12 billion
commitment for faster rail services. Thanks to our strong health response, our economic recovery is full
steam ahead. Since the beginning of this pandemic we have created 124,300 jobs, the strongest jobs
growth in the nation, and our overseas exports have rebounded by 26.3 per cent, totalling $79.2 billion
in 2021. On this side of the House we understand that to keep pace with strong population growth we
must invest now. Our government will always invest in new infrastructure to create jobs and get people
home faster. I will always fight for Queensland's fair share.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard  Ministerial Statements

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2022/2022_02_22_DAILY.pdf

Logan and Gold Coast, Rail Infrastructure

Hon. MC BAILEY (Miller—ALP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads) (10.15 am): What a
great day to be a Queenslander. Our record spend on roads and rail is growing as we future proof our
transport systems for a booming population. That is why today's $1.1 billion Logan and Gold Coast
faster rail commitment is so important. As the Premier said, there are more and more people moving to
Queensland because it is the place to be. A considerable number of these southern migrants are calling
the south-east home. New and long-term Queenslanders will benefit from the Logan and Gold Coast
faster rail project.

As part of the project we will see five level crossings removed, making it safer and faster for
Logan residents to move about. We will lay 20 kilometres of new track to get express trains through
faster. We will also build 400 additional car parks. Nine stations around Logan will be completely
upgraded, making them more accessible for Logan parents with prams, seniors and people with
disability. We will build an active transport system along the whole corridor for Logan residents who
ride, run and walk.

Today's $1.121 billion commitment from the Palaszczuk Labor government is half of what is
needed for this important project for population growth and also for the games. That is why we are
calling on the federal government to match our commitment fifty-fifty. We want to deliver the best
possible outcome for the booming population in Logan and the Gold Coast. At a total cost of almost
$2.6 billion, the project will create over 900 Queensland jobs.

Like the Cross River Rail project, the Logan and Gold Coast faster rail project will help drive
Queensland's economic recovery from COVID-19. Just last week I visited Sunshine Coast fencing
supply company Fencepac, which is helping us deliver Cross River Rail. Fencepac director Toby gave
me a tour of their Maroochydore yard and told me about the 10 full-time workers they have employed
to work on Cross River Rail who live on the Sunshine Coast. He also told me about the five apprentices
that are currently involved in the major project, with two more coming on board soon. Being involved in
Cross River Rail has been great for Fencepac and the other more than 1,500 Queensland suppliers
and subcontractors who have benefited from the project to date. Just imagine the number of trainees,
apprentices, suppliers, contractors and subcontractors Logan and Gold Coast faster rail could support
around the Logan area.

I look forward to seeing the federal government getting on board and catching the express train
to a funding commitment for Logan, for the Gold Coast and for Queensland.

[Fares_Fair]

Great work, thank you.
Cracker interviews.

^



I also mentioned the Sunshine Coast line in the first interview with ABC Brisbane as a well.

[verbatim9]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1496041621078618113

[verbatim9]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1496045516836139009

====

[SteelPan]

NOT exactly the vision anyone had when it came to fast/er rail.......
Maybe one day.....one day........   

4min saving on the Bris/GC corridor........   

Sunshine Coast still a theory and Toowoomba, Australia's 2nd largest inland city, a glorified stones throw from the state capital of Brisbane, is still many years off.......

Anyway.....life slowly rattles on...in Qld......      Clearly, there is simply no genuine interest in quality rail initatives in SEQ going forward! If an Olympics cannot stimulate serious inter-urban SEQ fast/er rail connectivity....it will remain a dream, for at least another generation! Palaszczuk and her comrades obviously have no interest in rail and are looking more tired by the hour!

My real sadness flows from the fact the State Opposition don't ever seem interested in rail progress either!

[#Metro]

Last thing the opposition did for rail was electrification in 1979. 🙂

[ozbob]

Good start. Trains should be running ~ 150 km/hr on average to the GC over the length of the route and ideally 200 km/hr. ...

The only way that can be achieved is further improvements to the Kuraby - Beenleigh corridor as we suggested in our submission, and extension of the CRR tunnel to around Salisbury.   Not much chance of that happening for now though.

Fast rail in SEQ is as dead as the Gympie Lander this morning ...

[kram0]

Do you think it will be possible to run 4 tph to/from the GC, as well as 2 tph to/from Beenleigh as well as the standard trains to Coopers Plains outside peak with the 3 track section or will there be a completely different landscape (stopping patterns) in 5 years time?

[SurfRail]

It should be possible to timetable 4 tph for Beenleigh and the Gold Coast in both directions.  The issue will be whether the counter-peak expresses have to stop at all stations from Dutton Park to Yeerongpilly.

[verbatim9]

Talking about extra trains, they need to schedule in an extra train from Bowen Hills at 15:08 southbound to Varsity Lakes.

I caught the 15:23 train yesterday, which is 30 mins after the previous and it was packed.

School is back, workers seem to be coming back and there is a need for that extra train from Bowen Hills at 15:08.

[Jonno]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1496041621078618113

Come on!! People don't blink at speeding billions on freeways which actually make trips longer!!