Cross River Rail Project

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Cross River Rail: Unwanted station to boost value of Trad house

It's the Cross River Rail station planners didn't want — and it will benefit the investment property purchased by Treasurer Jackie Trad.

JACKIE Trad's controversial investment property will benefit from a new train station that the group building the $7 billion Cross River Rail project didn't want.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the consortium chosen to construct Queensland's biggest infrastructure project advised against the proposed Boggo Rd station because of significant extra costs and technical concerns.

Headed by Spanish construction giant CIMIC, the Pulse Consortium wanted to instead use vacant state-owned land next to Princess Alexandra Hospital and link the new station to Boggo Rd via a major footbridge.

The group's detailed plans, which The Courier-Mail has obtained, mirror a similar proposal by a rival Cross River Rail bidder.

However the proposal was rejected by the Government's Cabinet Budget Review Committee in April this year in favour of a Boggo Rd station in line with the draft route.

The decision came seven days after a company owned by Ms Trad and her husband bought a $700,000 home in Woolloongabba a short walk from the existing Park Rd station and the planned Boggo Rd station.

It remains unclear whether Ms Trad advised the ­Cabinet Budget Review Committee of the purchase and her potential conflict of interest as required under the Ministerial Handbook.

The Government has refused to explain why it rejected a station solution that was cheaper, technically superior and back by bidders, as well as senior bureaucrats.

"As was advised by the head of the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, the procurement for Cross River Rail was a commercial bid process and as such, information ­provided through the tender process is commercial-in-confidence," Ms Trad's spokesman said yesterday.

The Pulse Consortium also refused to comment.

However shadow treasurer Tim Mander said the fact that even the winning bidder wanted an ­alternative to Boggo Rd was a "bombshell revelation" Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk could no longer ignore.

"Taxpayers deserve to know why Labor chose the Boggo Rd station over a station at the Princess Alexandra Hospital," he said.

"This hasn't passed the pub test since the start, and Labor's ­deceitful actions means it is getting worse by the day."

Self-described Labor "corruption fighter" Jo-Ann Miller yesterday attempted to quiz bureaucrats about the project in Budget hearings, but was rebuffed on commercial-in-confidence grounds.

However the Pulse Consortium's plans reveal the new underground Dutton Park station would have been on Kent St and linked with the existing busway.

According to bid sources, the existing Dutton Park ­station may now have to be shifted south of Annerley Rd, causing resumptions, but still leaving Cross River Rail with two stations within 2km of each other.

Ms Trad faces the prospect of investigations by the Crime and Corruption Commission and State Parliament's powerful Ethics Committee after she failed to declare the transaction as required on the Register of Member's Interests.

The Treasurer has promised to sell the property for no profit.

The research facility at the old Boggo Road jail is right up against the now contracted tunnel route.  I was informed some time ago now by senior TMR staff that because of the proximity to the research facility this presents a lot of difficulty to do the tunnel in the space available.  There might be other technical issues but as far as I know that is main one.

[Stillwater]

Wow, the timing of decisions about the house purchase and the awarding of the contract and contract design no doubt will be a matter for the CCC to investigate, and it will.

Did Jacki Trad have any influence over whether tunnel stubs should be included in the CRR design at the other end? The stubs are required to construct a future train line along the North-East Transportation Corridor to open up Trouts Road as a new route for Sunshine Coast, Caboolture and Redcliffe Peninsula lines trains. It is not yet clear whether the subs are included in the tunnel design

With these latest revelations, it becomes difficult for the State Government to argue that the tunnel stubs can't be justified on the basis of cost while simultaneously defending a decision to include at Boggo Road a station that neither project tender bidder thought was necessary.

[ozbob]

There would still be a " Boggo Road " station but would nearer to PA Hospital but known as " Dutton North " I understand.

It is this aspect I find very disturbing.  The technical issues about the tunnel at Boggo Road have been known for years.

This is not looking pretty for the Govt, both Premier and Deputy Premier to be honest.  Even if cleared etc. this is going hurt them big time I reckon in an electoral sense.

The lack of future proofing re not doing future tunnel extension stubs is actually a bigger issue than Ms. Trad's bumbles IMHO ...

[ozbob]

 

[Stillwater]

^ Whatever the design, it would appear that additional costs have been incurred at the Boggo Road end.  The government would find it very, very difficult to argue that, because of these extra costs, the tunnel stubs can't be funded.

[achiruel]

It seems that the selected site is far better inn terms of ease of transfer between the underground station sand surfacer lines at Park Rd. Whether it can actually be built is another matter.

[SurfRail]

Wow, the timing of decisions about the house purchase and the awarding of the contract and contract design no doubt will be a matter for the CCC to investigate, and it will.

Did Jacki Trad have any influence over whether tunnel stubs should be included in the CRR design at the other end? The stubs are required to construct a future train line along the North-East Transportation Corridor to open up Trouts Road as a new route for Sunshine Coast, Caboolture and Redcliffe Peninsula lines trains. It is not yet clear whether the subs are included in the tunnel design

With these latest revelations, it becomes difficult for the State Government to argue that the tunnel stubs can't be justified on the basis of cost while simultaneously defending a decision to include at Boggo Road a station that neither project tender bidder thought was necessary.

Tunnel stubs are absolutely not required for Trouts Road.  The reference design for the original CRR had passive provision for the connection to be made around the Victoria Park land bridge.  Much cheaper to build from new than load up the existing project with out-of-scope costs.

[timh]

Wow, the timing of decisions about the house purchase and the awarding of the contract and contract design no doubt will be a matter for the CCC to investigate, and it will.

Did Jacki Trad have any influence over whether tunnel stubs should be included in the CRR design at the other end? The stubs are required to construct a future train line along the North-East Transportation Corridor to open up Trouts Road as a new route for Sunshine Coast, Caboolture and Redcliffe Peninsula lines trains. It is not yet clear whether the subs are included in the tunnel design

With these latest revelations, it becomes difficult for the State Government to argue that the tunnel stubs can't be justified on the basis of cost while simultaneously defending a decision to include at Boggo Road a station that neither project tender bidder thought was necessary.

Tunnel stubs are absolutely not required for Trouts Road.  The reference design for the original CRR had passive provision for the connection to be made around the Victoria Park land bridge.  Much cheaper to build from new than load up the existing project with out-of-scope costs.

Can someone explain to me why the tunnel stubs from CRR are needed for NWTC? I thought it would make more sense to run NWTC trains on the Ferny Grove like until Alderley and then branch. Triplication/quadruplication (if needed) from Mayne-Alderley seems to me easier to do than another big tunnel

[#Metro]

Is a train station at Dutton Park really required? If not, why not remove this?

There is a busway to PA now and excellent connection to Park Rd station.

Will Park Rd surface station be rebuilt and straightened?

[SurfRail]

Wow, the timing of decisions about the house purchase and the awarding of the contract and contract design no doubt will be a matter for the CCC to investigate, and it will.

Did Jacki Trad have any influence over whether tunnel stubs should be included in the CRR design at the other end? The stubs are required to construct a future train line along the North-East Transportation Corridor to open up Trouts Road as a new route for Sunshine Coast, Caboolture and Redcliffe Peninsula lines trains. It is not yet clear whether the subs are included in the tunnel design

With these latest revelations, it becomes difficult for the State Government to argue that the tunnel stubs can't be justified on the basis of cost while simultaneously defending a decision to include at Boggo Road a station that neither project tender bidder thought was necessary.

Tunnel stubs are absolutely not required for Trouts Road.  The reference design for the original CRR had passive provision for the connection to be made around the Victoria Park land bridge.  Much cheaper to build from new than load up the existing project with out-of-scope costs.

Can someone explain to me why the tunnel stubs from CRR are needed for NWTC? I thought it would make more sense to run NWTC trains on the Ferny Grove like until Alderley and then branch. Triplication/quadruplication (if needed) from Mayne-Alderley seems to me easier to do than another big tunnel

Because you're then overloading the Ferny Grove line, and routing trains from further away via what is already an indirect and surface constrained route. 

No more compromises, no more tacking bits onto existing corridors on the cheap.  Just do it right for once and stop repeating the Gold Coast line mistake ad nauseum.

Tunnelling is relatively cheap, it's stations that add the big bucks to the bottom line.  Unless you want a rail station under QUT Kelvin Grove (which already has a busway) there's no reason for it to be a perfect bee-line to Alderley.  Diving from the Ekka loop resolves a number of issues that other options will entail, including guesstimating where a tunnel would branch off under Normanby.

[ozbob]

Is a train station at Dutton Park really required? If not, why not remove this?

There is a busway to PA now and excellent connection to Park Rd station.

Will Park Rd surface station be rebuilt and straightened?

Both of the options are underground stations.  The rejected station site gives more clearance from the Boggo Road research complex. 

[HappyTrainGuy]

Wow, the timing of decisions about the house purchase and the awarding of the contract and contract design no doubt will be a matter for the CCC to investigate, and it will.

Did Jacki Trad have any influence over whether tunnel stubs should be included in the CRR design at the other end? The stubs are required to construct a future train line along the North-East Transportation Corridor to open up Trouts Road as a new route for Sunshine Coast, Caboolture and Redcliffe Peninsula lines trains. It is not yet clear whether the subs are included in the tunnel design

With these latest revelations, it becomes difficult for the State Government to argue that the tunnel stubs can't be justified on the basis of cost while simultaneously defending a decision to include at Boggo Road a station that neither project tender bidder thought was necessary.

Tunnel stubs are absolutely not required for Trouts Road.  The reference design for the original CRR had passive provision for the connection to be made around the Victoria Park land bridge.  Much cheaper to build from new than load up the existing project with out-of-scope costs.

Can someone explain to me why the tunnel stubs from CRR are needed for NWTC? I thought it would make more sense to run NWTC trains on the Ferny Grove like until Alderley and then branch. Triplication/quadruplication (if needed) from Mayne-Alderley seems to me easier to do than another big tunnel

Because you're then overloading the Ferny Grove line, and routing trains from further away via what is already an indirect and surface constrained route. 

No more compromises, no more tacking bits onto existing corridors on the cheap.  Just do it right for once and stop repeating the Gold Coast line mistake ad nauseum.

Tunnelling is relatively cheap, it's stations that add the big bucks to the bottom line.  Unless you want a rail station under QUT Kelvin Grove (which already has a busway) there's no reason for it to be a perfect bee-line to Alderley.  Diving from the Ekka loop resolves a number of issues that other options will entail, including guesstimating where a tunnel would branch off under Normanby.

Alignment is slower too. Might as well go via Northgate. And a triple won't work. Express trains hunt down all stoppers.

Without NWTC I expect to see Caboolture/Landsborough trains going to 9 cars running express Petrie-Exhibition with no frequency improvements to it or to Kippa Ring along with no plans for a triple Petrie-Caboolture. And similar for the Gold Coast. Express Park Road to Beenleigh - maybe platform extensions at altandi but I don't know the area. Anyway. The entire network needs NWTC because it opens up so much more capacity/running patterns and catchment areas.

[ozbob]

EXCLUSIVE: The station rejected by the Palaszczuk Government. https://t.co/syx1m1oYUV pic.twitter.com/oFJgeOw74p

— Steven Wardill (@stevenwardill) July 30, 2019

[SurfRail]

That PAH station is profoundly stupid, and they were absolutely right to reject it.

If you thought interchange to the Cleveland line or to UQ Lakes would be difficult under the current version of the project then check this out!

[ozbob]

That PAH station is profoundly stupid, and they were absolutely right to reject it.

If you thought interchange to the Cleveland line or to UQ Lakes would be difficult under the current version of the project then check this out!

No doubt the Boggo Road station is the best location.  It does present some construction challenges.  Pity the State via CRR DA is not coming out and stating the reasons why and how they will sort the technical issues ( and spell that out too ).  If they had been a bit more transparent the media beat up probably would not have occurred.

It is fuking amazing, Premier and Deputy have a veritable army of media personnel and staffers, and they just bumble!!

[ozbob]

Interview on 4ZZZ - ZED Digital the Pineapple Rebellion show

Hosts Alexis Pink (Editor) & Izrin Ariff (4ZZZ) with Robert Dow RBoT - Part 1 Cross River Rail main topic

Here > https://backontrack.org/docs/4zzz/4zzz_rd31jul19.mp3 MP3 18.3MB

[ozbob]

Interview on 4ZZZ @4zzzradio - ZED Digital @digital_zed
 the @Pineapplerebel
Alexis and Izzy with Robert Dow @ozbob13 of @railbotforum chat about @CrossRiverRail main topic
Interview part 1 https://t.co/BlFUclxex6 MP3 18.3MB
From https://t.co/ptoXHM0xbj#qldpol pic.twitter.com/CcW7pXA23d

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) July 31, 2019

[verbatim9]

Visible Cross River Rail branding on the soon to be demolished Hotel Jen as seen from Albert Street. Plus new Ekka Station renders.

[verbatim9]

Not long to go and the coach terminal will be finished and the demolition of the Transit Centre ready to roll. Upper level drop off zone for coach passengers. Lower Level coach terminal and entry to train platforms.

[SurfRail]

It wouldn't surprise me if this just becomes the permanent coach terminal in time.  The constraint would be future potential growth but there probably isn't too much prospect of that.  If anything, regional travel demand is evaporating and what exists is concentrated on planes to the busier centres instead of surface modes (and if extensive regional rail investment happens then a coach terminal would be even less relevant).

[AnonymouslyBad]

It wouldn't surprise me if this just becomes the permanent coach terminal in time.

Same. Not sure why they're saying temporary. The Transit Centre isn't being rebuilt, and these facilities seem fine (probably actually a better location).

[ozbob]

Here's your first look at the concepts for our upgraded station at Exhibition! This upgraded station at the RNA will operate all year round - providing new rail services for both the Showgrounds precinct and also the RBWH. More info here: https://t.co/mdDMccrhJY pic.twitter.com/dCuJMJTYn5

— CrossRiverRail (@CrossRiverRail) August 2, 2019

[Gazza]

Haven't been following this thread lately but that beat up about the location of Boggo Rd.

It's a necessary evil that the new platforms are convenient to the existing ones to allow interchange.

The BaT tunnel wanted to eliminate the Boggo Rd stop in favour of a convoluted alternative.

Dunno why this has painted as a scandal?
Even without a statement from the CRR authority, any idiot should know a station at PAH wouldn't permit simple interchange without walking miles.

And yeah obviously the consortium wants to build something cheaper, boo hoo,

[ozbob]

Will we have enough trains and crew to actually deliver service increases?
Time is slipping by. #qldpol https://t.co/8H317hdt1T

— ozbob13 (@ozbob13) August 20, 2019

[ozbob]

Interview on ABC Radio Brisbane 21st August 2019  Host Steve Austin with Graeme Newton CEO CRRDA

Discussion on benefits of Cross River Rail and how it will work.

Here > https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abcbris_gn21aug19.mp3 MP3 22.7MB

Interview on @abcbrisbane 21st August 2019 Host Steve Austin @SteveAustinABC with Graeme Newton CEO CRRDA @CrossRiverRail
Discussion on benefits of Cross River Rail and how it will work.
Here > https://t.co/5lZU0xK6Nd MP3 22.7MB#qldpol pic.twitter.com/ZGxNMGAQ33

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) August 21, 2019

[verbatim9]

Temporary Coach terminal nearing completion. (Cross River Rail project)

[ozbob]

Thanks for the updates. Well done ...

It is of course important and critical  to have an external validation ....

[ozbob]

Thanks for the updates. Well done ...

It is of course important and critical  to have an external validation ....

But then again this is Queensland ..

[BrizCommuter]

BrizCommuter: Cross River Rail - Architecturally Boring
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2019/09/cross-river-rail-architecturally-boring.html

[ozbob]

BrizCommuter: Cross River Rail - Architecturally Boring
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2019/09/cross-river-rail-architecturally-boring.html

brisBANE!   

Thanks, and to all outlets ..

BrizCommuter: @CrossRiverRail Cross River Rail - Architecturally Boringhttps://t.co/qtQsrctR6i#qldpol
" Cross River Rail (CRR) has boring looking stations that look like they were designed in the 1980s ... "@MarkBaileyMP @jackietrad @SteveMinnikinMP pic.twitter.com/37rA4qkGdS

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) September 2, 2019

[Gazza]

Yeah that's what i thought about the Gabba station, it reminds me of those concrete waffle slabs.

That said, I don'd mind the Perth approach. Build the bare minimum portal when it opens then let a developer knock it over when they build over it down the track.

[verbatim9]

Yeah that's what i thought about the Gabba station, it reminds me of those concrete waffle slabs.

That said, I don'd mind the Perth approach. Build the bare minimum portal when it opens then let a developer knock it over when they build over it down the track.

I have also found the station designs very bland and generic. In that respect it's not really future proofing. The Melbourne Metro station designs make a real bold statement. An architectural draw card than the city itself. ^^The Perth approach seems logical too.

[verbatim9]

Important news - a section of Albert St between Charlotte St and Mary St in the CBD will be closing to vehicles as we begin construction of the new Albert St underground station. The road will remain open to pedestrians but if you - or anyone you know - need to know more, you can read more here: http://bit.ly/2Ura331

[verbatim9]

Street section to close permanently this month for rail project


Brisbanetimes----->https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/albert-street-section-to-close-permanently-this-month-for-rail-project-20190904-p52ns4.html

Albert Street section to close permanently this month for rail project

LUCY STONE SEPTEMBER 04, 2019

Part of an inner-city Brisbane street will be permanently closed to vehicles at the end of September as the state's Cross River Rail project begins construction.

Albert Street between Mary and Charlotte streets, in the heart of the CBD, will become a pedestrian-only boulevarde before construction of an underground station for the railway.

The planned Albert Street station will be on the corner of Mary Street, and will funnel thousands of people underground every day to the new railway.

Cross River Rail Delivery Authority chief executive Graeme Newton said the 120-metre street section had one of the lowest levels of vehicle traffic in the CBD.

A design concept of the Cross River Rail's Albert Street station.

[verbatim9]

A popular inner city road is about to close permanently to traffic as work on the Cross River Rail gets underway in Brisbane's CBD. But business owners on the street say construction has already pushed them to the brink. @katrinablowers #qldpol #7NEWS https://t.co/hOC72W2sLB

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1169165409536229376

[ozbob]

Cross River Rail --> EXCLUSIVE: Cross River Rail train campaign revealed

A train-manufacturing workforce in a small Queensland town could be on track to secure one of the State Government's most high-profile contracts - the Cross River Rail.

By Christian Berechree, Fraser Coast Chronicle

A LUCRATIVE State Government train-building contract could help secure Maryborough's status as a manufacturing powerhouse.

News Corp Australia can reveal negotiations are under way to build trains for the Cross River Rail project at Downer's Maryborough factory.

Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders said he had long advocated for the Heritage City to be chosen to boost the state's train fleet.

"I've been promoting Maryborough for Cross River Rail constantly since it was announced," Mr Saunders said.

"We're going to need more trains in the future because once Cross River Rail is built, more people are going to be using the trains than ever."

Negotiations with top-ranking politicians, including deputy premier Jackie Trad and Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, continue, Mr Saunders said.

"I've been chewing deputy premier Jackie Trad's ear off incessantly about the future and the extra trains we're going to need," he said.

He said the response to his push had been "very positive."

has been up here three times to look at the trains," Mr Saunders said.

Mr Saunders, who was instrumental in securing the $330million NGR train-modification contract for the Maryborough factory, said he had discussed the Cross River Rail project with Downer leaders.

"I've had some great talks with Downer and you can't beat the trains Downer builds," he said.

While Downer representatives could not provide details of the negotiations at this stage, a spokesperson said the company was building its workforce to support future train contracts.

"Downer is committed to supporting sustainable jobs in regional Queensland through our rail manufacturing facility in Maryborough," the spokesperson said.

"With the recently announced recruitment of 12 new apprentices for 2020, we continue to reshape our workforce to support current and future contracts."

A spokesperson for Mr Bailey said no decision had been made about the need for additional trains but the government was "committed to rail manufacturing jobs in the Heritage City."

"Transport and Main Roads staff continue to plan for future network requirements as projects like the Beerburrum to Nambour rail duplication, Cross River Rail, and Kuraby to Beenleigh rail upgrade.

"This planning includes whether any additional trains will be required," the spokesperson said.

"The Palaszczuk Government will make sure that when new trains are required, they'll provide jobs for Queenslanders."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1170162664577699840

[verbatim9]

Cross River Rail --> EXCLUSIVE: Cross River Rail train campaign revealed

A train-manufacturing workforce in a small Queensland town could be on track to secure one of the State Government's most high-profile contracts - the Cross River Rail.

By Christian Berechree, Fraser Coast Chronicle

A LUCRATIVE State Government train-building contract could help secure Maryborough's status as a manufacturing powerhouse.

News Corp Australia can reveal negotiations are under way to build trains for the Cross River Rail project at Downer's Maryborough factory.

Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders said he had long advocated for the Heritage City to be chosen to boost the state's train fleet.

"I've been promoting Maryborough for Cross River Rail constantly since it was announced," Mr Saunders said.

"We're going to need more trains in the future because once Cross River Rail is built, more people are going to be using the trains than ever."

Negotiations with top-ranking politicians, including deputy premier Jackie Trad and Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, continue, Mr Saunders said.

"I've been chewing deputy premier Jackie Trad's ear off incessantly about the future and the extra trains we're going to need," he said.

He said the response to his push had been "very positive."

has been up here three times to look at the trains," Mr Saunders said.

Mr Saunders, who was instrumental in securing the $330million NGR train-modification contract for the Maryborough factory, said he had discussed the Cross River Rail project with Downer leaders.

"I've had some great talks with Downer and you can't beat the trains Downer builds," he said.

While Downer representatives could not provide details of the negotiations at this stage, a spokesperson said the company was building its workforce to support future train contracts.

"Downer is committed to supporting sustainable jobs in regional Queensland through our rail manufacturing facility in Maryborough," the spokesperson said.

"With the recently announced recruitment of 12 new apprentices for 2020, we continue to reshape our workforce to support current and future contracts."

A spokesperson for Mr Bailey said no decision had been made about the need for additional trains but the government was "committed to rail manufacturing jobs in the Heritage City."

"Transport and Main Roads staff continue to plan for future network requirements as projects like the Beerburrum to Nambour rail duplication, Cross River Rail, and Kuraby to Beenleigh rail upgrade.

"This planning includes whether any additional trains will be required," the spokesperson said.

"The Palaszczuk Government will make sure that when new trains are required, they'll provide jobs for Queenslanders."

^^This is not good. Additional trains should go out for competitive tender. Then negotiate with the winner of that tender if the facility is suitable for a part of the manufacturing process?

[ozbob]

I expect that it will be a Bombardier-Downer consortium (See this for interest https://rail.bombardier.com/en/about-us/worldwide-presence/australia/en.html/bombardier/news/2019/bt-20190624_bombardier-joint-venture-celebrates-final-delivery-o/en ). 

Good that the trains look like being built at Maryborough.  WA is now building their own, so no more work for WA at Maryborough.  The time is right.  The Government has said that all future trains will be built locally. 

Bring. it. on. !!

[verbatim9]

I expect that it will be a Bombardier-Downer consortium (See this for interest https://rail.bombardier.com/en/about-us/worldwide-presence/australia/en.html/bombardier/news/2019/bt-20190624_bombardier-joint-venture-celebrates-final-delivery-o/en ). 

Good that the trains look like being built at Maryborough.  WA is now building their own, so no more work for WA at Maryborough.  The time is right.  The Government has said that all future trains will be built locally. 

Bring. it. on. !!

I guess if they are continuing with the current contract of additional trains it seems reasonable. I would expect the majority of the manufacturing still to be done overseas and some kind of end process in Maryborough. Unless the Bombardier-Downer consortium is going to spend a huge amount of money upgrading the facility to robotic manufacturing? But that is doubtful for just 50-60 trains. If they do modify some specs? USB ports would be handy on trains. The same as what's being done with the new trains in WA.