Cross River Rail Project

[kram0]

Have BCC agreed a price regarding the land next to South Brisbane station?

[timh]

Have BCC agreed a price regarding the land next to South Brisbane station?

Not that I'm aware of, but I'm no expert. I've been to a couple of the community information/consultation sessions regarding Brisbane Metro and spoken to the team a few times. As far as I'm aware, the land at Rochedale has been purchased, but I haven't heard anything about the spot at South Brisbane.

[BrizCommuter]

Here we go again...
Cross River Rail Fail - another year closer!
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2019/02/cross-river-rail-fail-another-year.html

Thought this post would generate more interest and discussion. Or are we all resigned to the fact the CRR is going to be major balls up?

[ozbob]

You raise valid concerns ...  ( I missed the first post )

Sent to all outlets ...

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1100281161803214848

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/2/22/cross-river-rail-woolloongabba-site-works-on-track

Media Statements

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Friday, February 22, 2019

Cross River Rail Woolloongabba site works on track

Demolition works at Cross River Rail's Woolloongabba station site are now complete with over 94% of building waste from the Landcentre and old South Brisbane Dental Hospital recycled.

Deputy Premier and Treasurer, Jackie Trad, said demolition contractors, DECC, had recycled most of the concrete, metal, aluminium and copper from the nine-storey building.

"The Landcentre and the old South Brisbane Dental Hospital are gone. These two buildings, just like Goprint, are now part of Woolloongabba's history," Ms Trad said.

"Following decades of heavy industrial use, as a rail holding yard and print works, site remediation works are now underway with up to seven excavators onsite removing soil to a depth of four metres in some areas."

Ms Trad said Cross River Rail is set to be the catalyst for revitalising the wider 6.5-hectare precinct around the new underground station.

"As a result of our investment in Cross River Rail, this former industrial site will be transformed," Ms Trad said.

"Better transport connectivity is crucial to developing a new urban precinct that would stack up in comparison to any global competitors.

"When Cross River Rail is operational, Woolloongabba will be just three minutes from Albert Street and three minutes from the Ecosciences precinct at Boggo Road, making it the perfect location for new mixed-use development and new open spaces."

Ms Trad said the Project will support thousands of jobs and hundreds of apprentice opportunities.

"During the five year construction period, Cross River Rail will support an average of 1,500 jobs each year across a range of industries from demolition and truck drivers to engineers and designers.

Ms Trad said Cross River Rail will unlock a bottleneck at the core of the transport network and allow more trains to run more often.

"Cross River Rail will enable a 'turn-up-and-go' transport system for the whole of South East Queensland."

ENDS

Fast Facts

The Cross River Rail Woolloongabba station will be constructed 27m below ground with 220 metre long platforms.
The Woolloongabba site will be the engine room of the project, hosting the massive tunnel boring machines which will dig the majority of Cross River Rail's twin 5.9km tunnels under Brisbane's river and CBD.
The project will generate 7,700 jobs including 450 apprentice and training opportunities during construction.
Works to prepare the nine-storey Landcentre for demolition started in September. Remediation activities are due for completion in mid-2019.
Materials recycled include 20,500 tonnes of concrete, 1,094 tonnes of ferrous metals and 275 tonnes of aluminium and copper.
The evaluation of bids for Cross River Rail's major works contracts is advancing and major works contract award is expected by mid-2019.
Construction activities will commence once the successful contractor's teams have mobilised.

[ozbob]

 "Cross River Rail will enable a 'turn-up-and-go' transport system for the whole of South East Queensland."

Discuss ...

[achiruel]

"Cross River Rail will enable a 'turn-up-and-go' transport system for the whole of South East Queensland."

Discuss ...

Sounds like a steaming pile of equine faeces to me.

CRR doesn't solve the problems of:

• insufficient rolling stock
• insufficient train crews (drivers/guards)
• Cleveland duplication
• Shorncliffe duplication
• NCL duplication

[not_available]

"Cross River Rail will enable a 'turn-up-and-go' transport system for the whole of South East Queensland."

Discuss ...

Even Traveston?

[Arnz]

"Cross River Rail will enable a 'turn-up-and-go' transport system for the whole of South East Queensland."

Discuss ...

Even Traveston?

Or the 314 bus route? 

[timh]

"Cross River Rail will enable a 'turn-up-and-go' transport system for the whole of South East Queensland."

Discuss ...

To me, they're saying it's "enabling" the turn up and go transport system by being the first piece of a very large puzzle that needs to be fully constructed in order to actually get said "turn up and go" system working. I think at this point it's a given that in order to allow for the additional services that would be added by things like extensions to the Gold Coast Line, Cleveland duplication, Nambour duplication, etc., the "bottleneck" in the city needs to be addressed first. CRR infrastructure does that. Once that's built, I am hoping that will be a catalyst to allow the State Government to get moving on these other projects. It's those other projects that will ACTUALLY enable a turn up and go system, but the CRR is the first piece of the puzzle as far as I see it.

Also @Brizcommuter in response to your post, I guess I'm just a bit more optimistic. Your post made some pretty valid concerns regarding rollingstock and driver numbers, but as far as I'm aware didn't suggest a solution. It can't possibly be all doom and gloom. Does your post suggest what the state government could do to address your concerns? I'm guessing it would be
- buy more trains
- hire more drivers

To meet the demand required by the timetable they want to implement.

If anything though, even if the CRR opened and the current crappy timetable was still in operation, the new infrastructure will help a lot for further works, and hopefully enable them to roll out some of those other things that you listed in yuor post to meet their proposed timetable.

For me personally, the infrastructure is far more important than the timetable, looking into the long term. But again, I'm no expert, just my opinion

PS Actually I'm sure you guys can answer this, but considering the huge cost and problems associated with the number of drivers required, is driverless trains simply out of the question??? I don't know enough about the technology and the signalling stuff to understand why that wouldn't be a viable option. The technology exists and as far as I heard the NGR trains can run driverlessly with little updating? Or am I wrong about that...

[verbatim9]

"Cross River Rail will enable a 'turn-up-and-go' transport system for the whole of South East Queensland."

Discuss ...

To me, they're saying it's "enabling" the turn up and go transport system by being the first piece of a very large puzzle that needs to be fully constructed in order to actually get said "turn up and go" system working. I think at this point it's a given that in order to allow for the additional services that would be added by things like extensions to the Gold Coast Line, Cleveland duplication, Nambour duplication, etc., the "bottleneck" in the city needs to be addressed first. CRR infrastructure does that. Once that's built, I am hoping that will be a catalyst to allow the State Government to get moving on these other projects. It's those other projects that will ACTUALLY enable a turn up and go system, but the CRR is the first piece of the puzzle as far as I see it.

Also @Brizcommuter in response to your post, I guess I'm just a bit more optimistic. Your post made some pretty valid concerns regarding rollingstock and driver numbers, but as far as I'm aware didn't suggest a solution. It can't possibly be all doom and gloom. Does your post suggest what the state government could do to address your concerns? I'm guessing it would be
- buy more trains
- hire more drivers

To meet the demand required by the timetable they want to implement.

If anything though, even if the CRR opened and the current crappy timetable was still in operation, the new infrastructure will help a lot for further works, and hopefully enable them to roll out some of those other things that you listed in yuor post to meet their proposed timetable.

For me personally, the infrastructure is far more important than the timetable, looking into the long term. But again, I'm no expert, just my opinion

PS Actually I'm sure you guys can answer this, but considering the huge cost and problems associated with the number of drivers required, is driverless trains simply out of the question??? I don't know enough about the technology and the signalling stuff to understand why that wouldn't be a viable option. The technology exists and as far as I heard the NGR trains can run driverlessly with little updating? Or am I wrong about that...

^^

[achiruel]

I'm not sure the technology is there yet to run driverless trains on a network as complex as ours. Establishing DOO would be more viable at this point in time.

Perhaps certain segments could be made driverless with crew joining/leaving at certain stations e.g. Varsity Lakes to Beenleigh, Ferny Grove to Bowen Hills, Kippa Ring to Petrie, Springfield to Darra.

[ozbob]

Driverless trains on the Citytrain network is not a real option.  The NGRs have been designed to be set up for ATP (ETCS L2 or better) and this will be in place for the CRR tunnel.  There are no plans to ATP the rest of the network apart from Roma St <> Northgate.  So not practical.

DOO on the Citytrain network will be only possible if ATP is system wide.  This needs to be established first before DOO could be seriously considered.

With respect to your comments Tim re BrizCommuter.  Briz has been highlighting the concerns for a number of years now ( as have most of us ).  He has articulated the solutions, that is we need more trains and crew essentially, and the specific track upgrades that will also be needed.  It is looking very much that the projected train frequencies will not be achieved on opening, and could be many years before they will be.  Add in the possible political interferences it is very much an uncertainty.  CRR is also being used as an excuse to delay other network improvements. 

[BrizCommuter]

You raise valid concerns ...  ( I missed the first post )

Sent to all outlets ...

Thanks, much appreciated. Last blog post for a while again, have other life priorities!

"Cross River Rail will enable a 'turn-up-and-go' transport system for the whole of South East Queensland."

Discuss ...

Also @Brizcommuter in response to your post, I guess I'm just a bit more optimistic. Your post made some pretty valid concerns regarding rollingstock and driver numbers, but as far as I'm aware didn't suggest a solution. It can't possibly be all doom and gloom. Does your post suggest what the state government could do to address your concerns? I'm guessing it would be
- buy more trains
- hire more drivers

The post does mention what is required - sustained driver recruitment, more than 40 new trains, and construction of multiple infrastructure projects. Without these, CRR will not achieve the proposed am peak service pattern, and may well even end up with half the network still languishing in 30 minute off-peak.

[#Metro]

You could run driverless trains, but it would require strategic disconnection of lines on the rail network followed by conversion to metro, as is being done in Sydney.

This would be expensive and probably require a new tunnel through Fortitude Valley through the CBD.

[achiruel]

DOO really ought to be a goal for QR, but there seems to be no interest in achieving it from either QR, DTMR or the Minister.

[Andrew]

DOO really ought to be a goal for QR, but there seems to be no interest in achieving it from either QR, DTMR or the Minister.

I would be in favour of DOO with ATO. I am not a fan of full automation when you are outside in the open and there is more risk of incidents (eg. Vehicle crashing onto the tracks). Paris Metro line 1 is fully automatic but AFAIK it is all in tunnel with station doors/barriers so the risk is far lower for on track incidents.

[timh]

The post does mention what is required - sustained driver recruitment, more than 40 new trains, and construction of multiple infrastructure projects. Without these, CRR will not achieve the proposed am peak service pattern, and may well even end up with half the network still languishing in 30 minute off-peak.

Cheers mate. For the record wasn't trying to be rude or anything, just trying to understand what the solution is!
It's through posts like yours and Bob's government lobbying etc that hopefully the State Government will actually listen to these concerns and do the purchasing and training required.

As I said in my post though, I'm just glad we're getting the infrastructure, decent timetable or not! It's at least a step in the right direction.

Also thanks to everyone else for highlighting the concerns regarding driverless operation. I hope we can achieve it one day but yeah, looks like it's pretty far off.

[Andrew]

This graphic is hurting my head somewhat.  Is it suggesting that trains coming from Petrie will stop at Wooloowin instead of Eagle Junction? It seems strange that they wouldn't choose Albion instead.  I also note the lack of increase on the Shorncliffe Line and the Cleveland Line doesn't differentiate between Cleveland and Manly trains (assuming they keep the same stopping pattern). My best guess on time of day for this would be arrivals into Central between 740am and 840am.  Looking at some of the current timetables, this seems to be the peak arrival period.

[not_available]

This graphic is hurting my head somewhat.  Is it suggesting that trains coming from Petrie will stop at Wooloowin instead of Eagle Junction? It seems strange that they wouldn't choose Albion instead.  I also note the lack of increase on the Shorncliffe Line and the Cleveland Line doesn't differentiate between Cleveland and Manly trains (assuming they keep the same stopping pattern). My best guess on time of day for this would be arrivals into Central between 740am and 840am.  Looking at some of the current timetables, this seems to be the peak arrival period.

I don't think wooloowin would be a good 'transfer station', and not just because the express trains tend to, imo, go faster through wooloowin than through Albion, Besides, Albion is the one that's supposedly getting the lifts and TOD

[James]

"Cross River Rail will enable a 'turn-up-and-go' transport system for the whole of South East Queensland."

Discuss ...

Mathematically, no. TUAG is already possible on much of the current network, it would just require more drivers and rollingstock, and CRR (particularly the one being built - no extra capacity south of Dutton Park) will not provide any extra capacity.

Politically, yes. I can see there being a huge fanfare and the government of the day using CRR as an excuse to extend 15 minute frequency to either other destinations or to weekends, even though this could happen tomorrow.

This sort of misleading branding is common amongst CRR advocates. In the last state election, there were corflutes saying CRR will deliver trains every 6 minutes at Toowong station in peak hour. Toowong station already has trains running every 6 minutes in peak hour.

This graphic is hurting my head somewhat.  Is it suggesting that trains coming from Petrie will stop at Wooloowin instead of Eagle Junction? It seems strange that they wouldn't choose Albion instead.  I also note the lack of increase on the Shorncliffe Line and the Cleveland Line doesn't differentiate between Cleveland and Manly trains (assuming they keep the same stopping pattern). My best guess on time of day for this would be arrivals into Central between 740am and 840am.  Looking at some of the current timetables, this seems to be the peak arrival period.

I imagine this diagram is something out of a fluff piece rather than representing the actual stopping patterns.

[achiruel]

"Cross River Rail will enable a 'turn-up-and-go' transport system for the whole of South East Queensland."

Discuss ...

Mathematically, no. TUAG is already possible on much of the current network, it would just require more drivers and rollingstock, and CRR (particularly the one being built - no extra capacity south of Dutton Park) will not provide any extra capacity.

Politically, yes. I can see there being a huge fanfare and the government of the day using CRR as an excuse to extend 15 minute frequency to either other destinations or to weekends, even though this could happen tomorrow.

This sort of misleading branding is common amongst CRR advocates. In the last state election, there were corflutes saying CRR will deliver trains every 6 minutes at Toowong station in peak hour. Toowong station already has trains running every 6 minutes in peak hour.

This graphic is hurting my head somewhat.  Is it suggesting that trains coming from Petrie will stop at Wooloowin instead of Eagle Junction? It seems strange that they wouldn't choose Albion instead.  I also note the lack of increase on the Shorncliffe Line and the Cleveland Line doesn't differentiate between Cleveland and Manly trains (assuming they keep the same stopping pattern). My best guess on time of day for this would be arrivals into Central between 740am and 840am.  Looking at some of the current timetables, this seems to be the peak arrival period.

I imagine this diagram is something out of a fluff piece rather than representing the actual stopping patterns.

Improvements to Toowong station frequency, really? Considering trains on the Ipswich & Springfield lines won't even use CRR. 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/CrossRiverRail/status/1104883701496725504

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Builder's ban sparks Cross River Rail chaos claim

THE State Government has denied the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail is in jeopardy after black-listing a company bidding to build a key part of the project.

UK construction giant Laing O'Rourke, a major partner in a consortium bidding to build the rail link, was stripped of its building licence last week and blocked from working on State Government projects.

The decision has cast doubt on the tender process as River City Alliance was one of the final two consortia short-listed for the "rail, integration and systems" contract.

State Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said the ban had thrown the project into chaos as the Unity Alliance consortium, which includes CPB Contractors, UGL Jacobs, AECOM, would get the contract by default.

"Taxpayers across Queensland should expect the bill for Cross River Rail to go through the roof," she said.

A spokesman for the Cross River Rail delivery authority said the tender process was still in the evaluation stage.

He said the company had indicated it was working with the QBCC to resolve the issue.

A Laing O'Rourke spokeswoman declined to comment as the company was still in discussions to regain its Queensland building licence.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said he was advised Laing O'Rourke did not currently have any projects with any government departments.

LNP Shadow Housing and Public Works Minister Michael Hart said the suspension of Laing O'Rourke's licence highlighted major flaws in the competitive process for Cross River Rail.

"How did the Palaszczuk Government come to shortlist a builder whose licence has now been suspended?"

Laing O'Rourke's consortium was bidding to build the supporting rail systems, integrate Cross River Rail into Queensland Rail's train network, and upgrade the Exhibition Station.

The contract is one of the two major packages in the multi-billion project.

The government announced the short-listed bidders in February last year with the winner expected to be announced in mid-2019.

The contract to build Cross River Rail's tunnel and stations is also expected to be announced later this year, with three consortia in the running.

[techblitz]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-09/walton-construction-director-aware-firm-was-insolvent-liquidator/9130226

all stems from that enacted legislation which needed to happen....

Tough new construction laws in Queensland

Mr de Brenni said the collapse of Walton Construction was the motivation for new laws passed last month that require project bank accounts, and give financial investigative powers to the QBCC.

The project bank accounts are, "designed to make sure that money from projects like the Walton project can't be diverted off into some other investment at the whim of the builder", he said.

Mr de Brenni said the new legislation strengthened the QBCC's ability to refuse "excluded individuals" a licence.

The law states anyone who is involved in a company failure in other jurisdictions or is the director of a company up to two years prior to a failure will be excluded from receiving a licence.

theres so much uncertainty with the entire building industry at the moment.....better to be safe & blacklist companies that are suspected of having financial issues because there is a growing trend of large construction companies collapsing with huge debts and a growing trend of them continuing to trade insolvent....ripping off thousands of workers in the process...and to make matters worse a lot of these big-wigs have gone and installed flammable cladding on a lot of their projects further increasing the government liabilities to get it fixed.....hospitals seem to be a worldwide trend at the moment.

[verbatim9]

^^Pity about Lang Orourke. There are many other construction companies around.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/CrossRiverRail/status/1106434899790229504

[verbatim9]

Have your say on the proposed Woollongabba Precinct.

Did you have your say yet on the new Woolloongabba precinct concept we're developing? You can learn more here: https://bit.ly/2TyYOYd. Come along to our final Community Information Session this Saturday at the Woolloongabba Substation, 45 Logan Road between 10.30am and 2pm.
Tag your neighbours!

https://www.facebook.com/317856871906116/posts/813233769035088/

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to announce Cross River Rail consortium

The winning consortium to build Brisbane's Cross River Rail project will be revealed today.

It is Queensland's biggest ever public transport project at a cost of $5.4 billion.

The contract to build the 5.9km train tunnel under the Brisbane River and four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street will be announced this morning by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

It the tender also includes the opportunity to develop above the Albert Street station.

Three consortia were short-listed for the lucrative contract.

They are Pulse, led by the CIMIC Group, Qonnect, headed by QIC and CentriQ Partnerships which includes the Plenary Group.

A separate contract is also expected to be announced for a package of civil and electrical work, rail systems and controls and signalling.

The two groups in the running for that are River City Alliance, led by Laing O'Rourke, and Unity Alliance.

The construction phase of the project is expected to create more than 1500 jobs.

The new network will run 10.2km from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, including a revamped Exhibition Station at the Showgrounds.

It will enable expansion of the rail network through southeast Queensland and eventually the construction of new lines to areas of fast population growth.

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1113464071523774464

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1113552944585007104

[ozbob]

Cross River Rail --> Major contractors announced to build Cross River Rail

The Queensland Government today announced the companies selected to build Queensland's highest priority infrastructure investment, the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail Project.

Cross River Rail will enable the extra network capacity required to operate higher frequency public transport that connects with other services and supports other network growth projects.

This will help ease the pressure of road congestion, making Brisbane and the whole of South East Queensland even more liveable.

The high calibre of companies bidding to deliver Cross River Rail clearly showed the market's support for the project.

Following a comprehensive evaluation process, the project's major works packages will be delivered by the following world-class consortia:

The Tunnel, Stations and Development (TSD) public private partnership will be delivered by PULSE.

The PULSE consortium is led by CIMIC Group companies, Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors, and UGL with international partners DIF, BAM and Ghella.

The Tunnel, Stations and Development (TSD) public-private partnership will deliver the underground section of the project, including the tunnel from Dutton Park to Normanby and the construction of four new, state-of-the-art underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street. The TSD will also provide a property development opportunity above Albert Street station.

The Rail, Integration and Systems (RIS) alliance will be delivered by UNITY Alliance.

UNITY Alliance brings together CPB Contractors, UGL, AECOM and Jacobs, and partners HASSEL, RCS Australia, Acemna, Martinus Rail and Wired Overhead Solutions.

A Rail, Integration and Systems (RIS) Alliance will deliver the design, supply and installation of the supporting rail system and integration of Cross River Rail into Queensland Rail's train network, and an upgrade to Exhibition Station.

The European Train Control System (ETCS) will be delivered by Hitachi Rail STS.

ETCS is a new signalling system. Its introduction will enable increased capacity on the inner-city rail network, enhance safety and allow the wider SEQ rail network to run more efficiently, the features of which are important for the safe operation of trains in Cross River Rail's tunnels.

Over the coming months, the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority will work with the consortia to finalise the project schedule.

Contractors are expected to establish a site presence from late 2019.

Cross River Rail is a new 10.2 kilometre rail line running from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, which includes a 5.9 kilometre twin tunnel under the Brisbane River and CBD.

It will deliver four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street, and upgrades to Dutton Park and Exhibition stations.

Precincts at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street, Roma Street and Exhibition will be significantly revitalised, helping Brisbane to evolve as a world-class city.

The $5.4 billion project will unlock the bottleneck at the core of our transport network allowing more trains to run more often. Cross River Rail will be operational in 2024.

During its five-year construction period, Cross River Rail will support up to 7,700 jobs in total with an average of 1,500 jobs each year and up to 3,000 jobs in the most intensive year of construction.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1113570374514380800

[ozbob]

https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/major-contractors-announced-to-build-cross-river-rail/

JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Thursday, April 04, 2019

Major contractors appointed to build Cross River Rail

The Palaszczuk Government has today announced the companies that will build the transformational $5.4 billion Cross River Rail Project.

The 10.2 kilometre rail line will run from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, with a 5.9 kilometre twin tunnel under the Brisbane River and CBD, four new underground stations and upgrades to existing stations.

Following a comprehensive evaluation process, the project's major works packages will be delivered by the following world-class consortia:

PULSE - the Tunnel, Stations and Development (TSD) public private partnership;
UNITY - the Rail, Integration and Systems (RIS) alliance; and
Hitachi Rail STS - the European Train Control System (ETCS).
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the project would generate 7,700 jobs, including 450 apprentice and training opportunities.

"We're focussed on building the major infrastructure Queenslanders need and delivering local jobs. That is what Cross River Rail is about," the Premier said.

"Cross River Rail is Brisbane's new underground. It means more trains, more often across the entire South-East.

"As well as improving connectivity across the entire south east, it will create new precincts at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street, Roma Street and Exhibition, helping Brisbane evolve as a world-class city.

"As a result of this historic investment, hundreds of new job opportunities will be delivered, for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work on a project that will fundamentally change our region.

"This megaproject is a defining moment for Queensland and vital as our population booms."

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said the high calibre of companies that bid to deliver Cross River Rail demonstrated how significant the project was for Queensland.

"I congratulate the proponents on advancing to this stage. Across the three works packages, there have been hundreds of people working tirelessly behind the scenes to develop the comprehensive bids and I thank them all for their hard work," Ms Trad said.

"Cross River Rail will double our heavy rail capacity through the CBD, unlocking the network for future growth and delivering more trains, more often.

"We have fully-funded this $5.4 billion project because we were sick of waiting on the LNP in Canberra to come to the table.

"As one of Australia's fastest growing regions, we have to build the infrastructure we need now to ensure we keep pace with this growth. We don't want to be left playing catch-up like Sydney and Melbourne."

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said because of the Palaszczuk Government's decisive action, Cross River Rail would be ready to service the South-East by 2024.

"A turn-up-and-go network will encourage people to leave their cars behind, in turn easing congestion and making whole of South East Queensland even more liveable," Minister Bailey said.

"Jobs that will be created while we transform the south east include opportunities in construction, demolition, tunneling, electrical trades, design, engineering, and project management."

CIMIC Group Chief Executive Officer Michael Wright said the consortia was excited to start work.

"CIMIC Group is Australia's premier rail infrastructure and services provider. Our end-to-end capability enables us to finance, design, construct and maintain the new tunnels and rail stations combining the collective expertise of Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors and UGL," Mr Wright said.

"It's our privilege to work with the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority to deliver high-quality rail assets and services for Southern Queensland, enabling a world class public transport system across the entire region."

Iain Ward, Alliance Manager, said that UNITY Alliance is proud to be delivering this important component of Cross River Rail, a landmark project for Queensland.

"The Rail, Integration and Systems package is crucial to the overall delivery of the project and we're committed to seamlessly and safely integrating our works into the wider project," Mr Ward said.

"Together with our partners in the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority and Queensland Rail, we look forward to contributing to this important project for the people of South East Queensland."

Hitachi Rail STS CEO Andy Barr said they are extremely proud to have been appointed for the ETCS.

"This will be a transformational project for the city of Brisbane. We have a proven track record for successful technical integration on rail projects worldwide, an established and talented local team based in our head office in Brisbane, and a firm commitment to build and enhance the social connection and liveability framework of growing cities such as Brisbane."

Through to mid-2019, the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority will continue to work with the respective consortia for the three works packages to achieve contract finalisation, the delivery schedule, and contractor mobilisation.

It is expected that contractors will establish a site presence from late 2019.

ENDS

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1113567825388425216

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1113576045527961606

[HappyTrainGuy]

Couldn't they use a more up to date photograph along with not photoshopping the image to show that the train still has the old QR logo on it.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> State Government announces winning tender for Cross River Rail build

TUNNELLING could start on the Cross River Rail project by next year with the Palaszczuk Govermment revealing the winning consortia to build the $5.4 billion project today.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced Pulse consortia will deliver the tunnel and four new underground stations. while Unity will deliver the design, supply and installation of the supporting rail system.

Hitachi Rail will look after the European Train Control System to be used with the project.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said she expected tunnelling could start next year once the government had reached financial close with the companies involved.

"We have got a lot of work to do between this announcement and securing financial close with all of the successful bidders so the work is only just starting," Ms Trad said.

"We look forward to construction starting in earnest.

"We anticipate tunneling to start in late 2020. It all depends on the final financial close and all of the particular elements."

Ms Palaszczuk said other works would start by the end of the year including the demolition of the Roma Street Transit Centre and other works in Albert St where another underground station will be built.

"Cross River rail will be a massive economic boost to southeast Queensland," she said.

"We are building the underground. For the first time in 100 years there will be a brand new station smack bang in the middle of the CBD at Albert Street.

"This is transformational."

Ms Trad said conversations in relation to the Brisbane Live development proposed for the Roma Street site in tandem with Cross River Rail were continuing.

She said the government was yet to consider a business case for the development which would include a 17,000-seat arena at the site.

Ms Palaszczuk also pointed to the development that would come with the project including a mix of residential and commercial development.

Both she and Ms Trad took swipes at the Morrison Government for yet again snubbing the project in this week's Federal Budget.

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has pledged to help fund the project should he win next month's election.

The Pulse consortia is led by Cimic Group companies, Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors and UGL alongside international partners DIF, BAM and Ghella which was involved in the construction of Brisbane's Legacy Way.

It has won the bid to enter the public-private partnership with the Government to deliver the project.

Unity includes CPB contractors, UGL, AECOM and Jacobs and partners HASSEL, RCS Australia, Acema, Martinus Rail, Wired Overhead Solutions as well as the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority and Queensland Rail.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> 'Going it alone': Cross River Rail pushes ahead without federal funds

Despite no federal funding for Cross River Rail in Tuesday's federal budget, the state government is "going it alone" and has announced the companies responsible for building the new train network.

The project promises to deliver an extra 18,000 seats on Brisbane trains, take 14,000 drivers off the roads, cut travel time on existing south-east Queensland train lines and create more than 7700 jobs.

Pulse will deliver tunnel stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street. They will also upgrade Dutton Park station and will develop above the new stations.

UNITY consortium is responsible for the rail integration systems, the track through the tunnels, incorporating the new rail with the existing network and a major upgrade at the Ekka station.

Hitachi Rail will bring a $634 million European Train Control System to the project, which will improve the safety and service frequency in the entire city rail network upon completion.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the tunnelling work was due to begin in late 2020, a significant delay compared with the "second quarter of 2019" deadline given in February 2018.

Ms Palaszczuk also said the contracts for the endorsed bidders were signed on Wednesday, but a commercial-in-confidence market sounding materials report from August 2017 said the Rail, Integration and Systems contract was due to be awarded in October 2018 - another major delay.

"We've already seen work under way at Woolloongabba with the demolition of the GoPrint building in preparation for the brand new station ... and by the end of the year the old [Roma Street] Transit Centre will start to come down and we'll see work commence at Albert Street," she said.

"It [Cross River Rail] will mean people coming in from across south-east Queensland will get a reduction in travel times.

"They will save 15 minutes on the Gold Coast line, 15 minutes on the Beenleigh line, eight minutes on the Caboolture line, eight minutes on the Redcliffe line and 14 minutes on the Cleveland Line.

"In this week's federal budget, not one single dollar was given to this project. For the first time in 100 years, there will be a new station smack bang in the middle of the CBD - Albert Street ... we're going it alone without this federal government."

[verbatim9]

So thats good Re: ETCS with the one company awarded to roll it out throughout the city network.

Also the website has been updated with a new video and renders.

https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/major-contractors-announced-to-build-cross-river-rail/