Cross River Rail Project

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Cross River Rail - is there a rail service plan?

19th July 2020

Good Morning,

We note the ongoing advertising campaign for Cross River Rail.  Is this wise expenditure of public money?

Today for example, on page 21 of the Sunday Mail (19th July 2020) is promoting " ' CHECKMATE ' Find out what Cross River Rail means for you."



If the reader goes to ' CHECKMATE ' ( https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/my-journey-benefits ) and finds out the benefits for their location what results is generic spin essentially.

Some examples:

Go to checkmate, put in 4300 (Goodna)

MORE TRAINS, MORE OFTEN
Added network capacity means more trains running to, from and through Brisbane

MORE SEATS
Because more trains, more often means more seats during peak travel times

EASED ROAD CONGESTION
Eased pressure on major roads such as the Centenary Highway

CAPACITY FOR NETWORK GROWTH
Cross River Rail, together with future infrastructure upgrades and service initiatives, creates the capacity and network growth to support a future rail link to Ripley

Put in Nambour

MORE TRAINS, MORE OFTEN
Added network capacity means more trains running to, from and through Brisbane

MORE SEATS
Because more trains, more often means more seats during peak travel times

EASED ROAD CONGESTION
Eased pressure on major roads such as the Bruce Highway

CAPACITY FOR NETWORK GROWTH
Cross River Rail, together with future service initiatives, creates the capacity and network growth to support the future, committed Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade

Put in Ferny Grove

TURN-UP-AND-GO TRANSPORT
With more trains, more often during peak, across the whole of South East Queensland

UNLOCKING THE BOTTLENECK
Better access to Brisbane with connections to five new inner-city stations

EASED ROAD CONGESTION
Eased pressure on major roads such as Samford Road

Put in Varsity Lakes

MORE TRAINS, MORE OFTEN
Added network capacity means more trains running to, from and through Brisbane

MORE SEATS
Because more trains, more often means more seats during peak travel times

EASED ROAD CONGESTION
Eased pressure on major roads such as the Pacific Motorway

CAPACITY FOR NETWORK GROWTH
Cross River Rail, together with future infrastructure upgrades and service initiatives, creates the capacity and network growth to support a future rail link to the Gold Coast Airport

====

All also come up with 5 new stations:

Albert Street Station
Boggo Road Station
Exhibition Station
Roma Street Station
Woolloongabba Station

Nothing about real service levels (train frequency) and operational plan (routing and line pairings).

What is needed is the publication of a rail service plan that indicates the real frequency, routing and line pairings that will be operating on the SEQ Citytrain Network when Cross River Rail is commissioned.

For example Melbourne is presently constructing a rail tunnel, the Melbourne Metro Tunnel.  The proposed service plan is available for all to see at https://metrotunnel.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/40481/MM-Business-Case-Feb-2016-APPENDIX-04.PDF

There is no comparable publicly available document for Cross River Rail. Where is it?  Is there one, or is it being deliberately withheld because the service levels are not significantly different from now? Are planned routing changes being kept secret in a hope that people will not be influenced before the election?

It is time for Minister Kate Jones to direct CRRDA to publish a proper service plan for Cross River Rail.  Generic spin, and a lack of meaningful information is not acceptable.

Thank you.

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Facebook ..

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1284573463772934145

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1284866560578908160

[ozbob]

Couriermail  20th July 2020 page 17

A great way to kick-start career

Kate Jones State Development Minister

CROSS River Rail is not only changing the face of south-east Queensland forever, it's changing the lives of thousands of Queenslanders during construction.

So far, we've had close to 150 apprentices and trainees already gain on-the-job skills and we are less than 12 months into a five-year construction project.

They're cutting their teeth on Queensland's most transformational infrastructure project in the heart of the city – a pretty good way to kick-start your career.

Through our week-long campaign with The Sunday Mail and The Courier-Mail, you'll meet many of the workers who are making this project a reality.

It's remarkable to think that our children and our grandchildren will look back at the photos of workers on our sites today and marvel at the vision and achievement of the project.

Investment in construction projects like Cross River Rail supports jobs and is crucial to Queensland's economic recovery in a post-COVID-19 world. Each and every day throughout this pandemic, this project is pumping more than $4 million into our local economy.

It's also keeping more than 2000 workers employed and to date more than 400 Queensland subcontractors and suppliers have won contracts on Cross River Rail.

Projects like Cross River Rail are more important than ever before.

====

Couriermail 20th July 2020 page 17

Digging no daily grind

[ozbob]

CM is doing well with all the CRR Advertisements.  Guess a puff piece series is in line ... 

[BrizCommuter]

BrizCommuter: The CRR Gold Coast Line Slow Down 
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2020/07/cross-river-rail-gold-coast-line-slow.html

[ozbob]

BrizCommuter: The CRR Gold Coast Line Slow Down 
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2020/07/cross-river-rail-gold-coast-line-slow.html

Thanks ..

====

Sent to all outlets:

Cross River Rail - The Gold Coast Line Slow Down

20th July 2020

Good Morning,

In the absence of a proper rail service and operation plan people are now making reasonable assumptions on what the service outcomes will be when Cross River Rail is commissioned.

It is clear that trains on the Gold Coast line will slow down for longer overall journey times.

Please have a read of this blog piece by BrizCommuter  ' Cross River Rail - The Gold Coast Line Slow Down ' at https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2020/07/cross-river-rail-gold-coast-line-slow.html

Outlined is the reasoning behind this proposition.

There are many concerns with the service and operational planning for Cross River Rail.  It should not be kept secret.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Attached:  https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2034.msg237926#msg237926

[ozbob]

Facebook > https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/3612839268730234?comment_id=3615963985084429

&

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1284950592482238465

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1285003453027151872

[BrizCommuter]

^ Thanks, let's hope this gives the pollies a kick up the posterior to release the network operations plan!

[verbatim9]

There was a new ad for Cross River Rail during prime time, during the (6 pm news) on 7. It was flash. Not sure what to think of it and why?  Pretty expensive promotion if that's the case?

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Albert Street transformed as part of Cross River Rail

BRISBANE'S newest railway station will open up some of the most valuable commercial property opportunities in Queensland, hook up mega developments Queen's Wharf and Dexus riverside, and ­create jobs for hundreds of tradespeople and apprentices.

The Courier-Mail, in conjunction with the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, is presenting a series looking at the project and what it will bring to the state.

Albert Street will be the first CBD railway station in a century and will also help open up redevelopment opportunities in a section of the city that has had to rely on long walks to Roma Street or Central to get on a train.

City sports fans will be able to get to The Gabba in less than five minutes.

It will remove the Merivale Bridge rail bottleneck with a second river crossing, allowing more trains to run more often across the whole rail network.

It will create more than 7700 jobs during construction, including 450 apprentice and traineeships.

"We know that to kickstart Queensland's economy and create jobs, we must invest in infrastructure," Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said at the Albert Street site on Monday. "These extensive training opportunities mean that the project will leave a lasting skills development opportunity and will transform the future of train travel across the whole of southeast Queensland," she said.

"So far, more than 2300 jobs have been generated, meaning Cross River Rail is doing a lot of heavy lifting as part of the economic recovery from COVID-19, right when our economy needs it most."

State Development Minister Kate Jones said TAFE Queensland would introduce a new Certificate II and III qualification in rail infrastructure – a first for Queensland.

Helensvale apprentice Adam Wormald has swapped working in childcare to follow in his dad Shane's footsteps working underground, with a plant operations apprenticeship.

"I've been working here for the last three months," Mr Wormald said.

"It's really great to be back home in Queensland ... working on a project that's definitely going to put Queensland on the map as far as becoming a world city."

Albert Street will be the deepest underground station, with the 220m-long platforms 31m below street level.

It is expected to take 67,000 people a day. Test blasting started this month to investigate the rock to be removed.

Later this month, bores will be sunk in City Botanic Gardens to identify underground rock and soil conditions about 50m underground near the alignment of the tunnel that will cross under the river to The Gabba.

Cross River Rail is a 10.2km rail line from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, which includes 5.9km of twin tunnels under the Brisbane River and Brisbane CBD.

Work has begun on the four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street.

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> A stretch of a major CBD road will close next week when construction for a new Cross River Rail station begins

A busy city street will be partly closed as construction work for the new Albert Street Cross River Rail station begins on Monday.

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority announced works on the new station's second entrance will began next week, causing Albert Street to be closed between Charlotte and Elizabeth Streets.

A taxi rank will also be moved during construction.

A CRRDA spokeswoman said the road will be closed to general traffic, but pedestrian access would continue throughout the works.

There will also be provisions for vehicles accessing the Royal Albert Hotel.

"This closure is the start of works for the second entrance for the first CBD train station to be built in over 120 years," she said.

"This station provides access to the very heart of the CBD and will make getting to key locations easier and more convenient for over 60,000 passengers daily.

"The main entrance at the corner of Mary Street will serve major destinations such as the City Botanic Gardens, QUT Gardens Point Campus and the new Queens Wharf Brisbane integrated resort.

"The second entrance between Charlotte and Elizabeth Streets will provide direct access to Queen Street Mall."

An existing taxi rank has been relocated from Albert Street onto Charlotte Street and the current rank on Albert Street will close next Monday.

"The project has been working with Brisbane City Council and Taxi Council Queensland to ensure continuity of this important service for taxi users on this side of the Queen Street Mall," the spokeswoman said.

"Pedestrian access on Albert Street will continue all the way from Mary to Elizabeth Streets throughout construction."

For more information about the closures call 1800 010 875 or email info@crossriverrail.qld.gov.au.

[ozbob]

^ Thanks, let's hope this gives the pollies a kick up the posterior to release the network operations plan!

I am hearing from a variety of sources that there is great concern in certain quarters about the lack of a publicly available rail service and operation plan.  One can only assume they have one.  If it takes RTI and political shaming to get it, so be it!

[BrizCommuter]

There was a new ad for Cross River Rail during prime time, during the (6 pm news) on 7. It was flash. Not sure what to think of it and why?  Pretty expensive promotion if that's the case?

If their advertising budget exceeds the cost of a required associated infrastructure project, then I will be very annoyed!

[red dragin]

There was a new ad for Cross River Rail during prime time, during the (6 pm news) on 7. It was flash. Not sure what to think of it and why?  Pretty expensive promotion if that's the case?

If their advertising budget exceeds the cost of a required associated infrastructure project, then I will be very annoyed!

It's almost like there is a smear campaign from a jaded union, and a state election coming up soon....

[BrizCommuter]

I would think that the following could be done for $100-$200m each:
Oxley 4th platform
Sandgate-Shorncliffe duplication
Manly-Lota duplication and 3rd platform
Doomben-Hamilton Northshore extension
The following could be done for $30m:
Mayne-Ferny Grove Line Y

Let's see how many of these could have been done within CRR's advertising budget!

[timh]

I would think that the following could be done for $100-$200m each:
Oxley 4th platform
Sandgate-Shorncliffe duplication
Manly-Lota duplication and 3rd platform
Doomben-Hamilton Northshore extension
The following could be done for $30m:
Mayne-Ferny Grove Line Y

Let's see how many of these could have been done within CRR's advertising budget!

I think Hamilton extension would be a bit more expensive. If it follows the alignment in the original PDA documents it cuts through a bunch of industrial businesses, so you'd have to resume/demolish quite a bit of land there. You'd also have to skyrail over KSD. It's a doable gradient but from my amateur knowledge all the work seems like it'd be pretty pricey...

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[red dragin]

Where does the Hamilton Northshore plan run? Most of the old ROW back to Remora/KSD/Nudgee Rd is now the inbound left lanes of KSD.

Not to mention a bus trip to the CBD is propbably going to be considerably quicker than a train heading back out towards Eagle Junction before coming back to town.

[timh]

Where does the Hamilton Northshore plan run? Most of the old ROW back to Remora/KSD/Nudgee Rd is now the inbound left lanes of KSD.

Not to mention a bus trip to the CBD is propbably going to be considerably quicker than a train heading back out towards Eagle Junction before coming back to town.

https://www.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/resources/plan/pda/historic/northshore-hamilton-proposed-development-scheme.pdf

Page 8

The curve just east of Doomben on that diagram is very wide and cuts through the Eagle Farm TAFE rather than using the existing/old disused rail corridor that's basically straight south of Doomben (weirdly). I expect that would be changed if ever built to use the corridor rather than resume the TAFE

[red dragin]

https://www.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/resources/plan/pda/historic/northshore-hamilton-proposed-development-scheme.pdf

Page 8

The curve just east of Doomben on that diagram is very wide and cuts through the Eagle Farm TAFE rather than using the existing/old disused rail corridor that's basically straight south of Doomben (weirdly). I expect that would be changed if ever built to use the corridor rather than resume the TAFE

Thanks. That land at the TAFE is only used for parking I believe. The alignment it to be able to run it along the side of Theodore St, probably along elevated track.

Still, bang for buck, a rapid service bus to the CBD would be cheaper and quicker.

[Gazza]

The Flinders Link project in Adelaide is a very close comparison to this, and is $141m
https://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/major_projects/flinders_link

[ozbob]

Couriermail 22nd July 2020 page 23

Gabba land bridge via premier precinct

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1285680317437796354

[Jonno]

Couriermail 22nd July 2020 page 23

Gabba land bridge via premier precinct

What I fear with these land bridges is that it will then be the excuse used for leaving the surrounding roads as the dangerous 4 lane monstrosities they are today! It also creates spaces underneath that become derelict and unused as well!! Devil will be in the detail but we don't have a great track record!

[Gazza]

Couriermail 22nd July 2020 page 23

What I fear with these land bridges is that it will then be the excuse used for leaving the surrounding roads as the dangerous 4 lane monstrosities they are today! It also creates spaces underneath that become derelict and unused as well!! Devil will be in the detail but we don't have a great track record!

How's it any different to the land bridge that links Federation Square/Birrarung Marr to the MCG?

[red dragin]

My money is that the current park on the corner of Stanley & Main Streets, on the Gabba side, will be utilised for either on-site parking for the Gabba VIP's or undercover training facilities/cricket nets.

That should remove most of the 'derelict space' underneath. Also, with LED lighting being bright, effective and low maintenance, the underpass should be well lit deterring unwanted behaviour.

[Jonno]

Couriermail 22nd July 2020 page 23

What I fear with these land bridges is that it will then be the excuse used for leaving the surrounding roads as the dangerous 4 lane monstrosities they are today! It also creates spaces underneath that become derelict and unused as well!! Devil will be in the detail but we don't have a great track record!

How's it any different to the land bridge that links Federation Square/Birrarung Marr to the MCG?

It is pretty ugly at the MCG end! I lived around the corner! Looks like a road overpass!! As I said it can be done well but needs to be activated with uses incorporated into it like they do in Europe!  All the roads around the Station/Stadium need to be redesigned for all users just not car flow and speed as they are today!!

[verbatim9]

I thought a pedestrian bridge was in the plans a while ago I can't see what all the fuss is about. It's just a pedestrian bridge going to a station like at Milton from Suncorp stadium. But it does cater for a bit more capacity.

CM has really over dramatised this calling it an underground party.

[verbatim9]

As well as the land bridge over Main Street, Cross River Rail is promising that sports fans will be able to get from the city to the Gabba inside five minutes when Brisbane's underground opens.

I question their claims? If you were at Ground level at Albert Street you need to descend to the station in which will take over a min, then wait times for the train as well as exiting times from the Gabba station.  10 mins is more realistic.

[BrizCommuter]

My money is that the current park on the corner of Stanley & Main Streets, on the Gabba side, will be utilised for either on-site parking for the Gabba VIP's or undercover training facilities/cricket nets.

That should remove most of the 'derelict space' underneath. Also, with LED lighting being bright, effective and low maintenance, the underpass should be well lit deterring unwanted behaviour.

An artistic LED light installation should do the trick!

[verbatim9]

My money is that the current park on the corner of Stanley & Main Streets, on the Gabba side, will be utilised for either on-site parking for the Gabba VIP's or undercover training facilities/cricket nets.

That should remove most of the 'derelict space' underneath. Also, with LED lighting being bright, effective and low maintenance, the underpass should be well lit deterring unwanted behaviour.

An artistic LED light installation should do the trick!

There will be urban renewal and artwork in the mix. As well as on the exterior of the pedestrian overpass to disguise the grid like metal mesh that is needed to prevent accidental death and people throwing stuff below onto the road below.

[Gazza]

My view is that a full time land bridge with amenities the full length is better than half arsed closing main avenue to traffic on game days.

[verbatim9]

The land bridge should have full time access. I hope which will be the case.

[verbatim9]

A foot bridge will be built as part of the Cross River Rail project to connect the Gabba with one of the stations. http://7news.com.au #7NEWS

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1285855253691158528

[ozbob]

Cross River Rail --> Cross River Rail: Boggo Road to become major hub


The massive Boggo Road Cross River Rail construction area

The train station that shares its name with a notorious prison looks set to become Brisbane's biggest suburban public transport hub with the opening of Cross River Rail.

Boggo Road is the southern end of the underground line, and is expected to be handle more than 23,000 passengers every weekday by 2036 at the station that hooks up the University of Queensland green bridge routes, the Brisbane Metro and overland rail routes.

It will serve PA Hospital as well as the UQ Ecosciences precinct, home to some of the nation's largest research institutions and more than 7500 health and science professionals, as well as the historic former prison site.

The Courier-Mail, in conjunction with the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, is presenting a series looking at the project and what it will bring to the state.

Being at the point where other rail lines and routes cross makes for some engineering challenges, according to Cross River Rail's builders.

The delivery authority's project director (tunnels, stations and development) Jeremy Kruger said vibration from passing trains was the biggest challenge for tunnellers.

Emergency vibration alarms will be installed at the work site – they are already in place at Roma St, where the first tunnelling began last week – that shut down the work if early warning levels are reached.

"It is quite a congested rail corridor," Mr Kruger said.

"As you tunnel, you go directly under Park Road railway station.

"You have the challenges of tunnelling under a railway line.

"One of the critical technical issues is to control settlement and vibrations so that the trains above can continue to operate safely while we are mining underneath."

More than 7700 people will work on the Cross River Rail project over the five years of construction, with 400 local suppliers signed up and more than 160 apprentice and traineeship positions filled of 450 to be created.

The 10.2km rail line will run from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, including 5.9km of twin tunnels under the Brisbane River and Brisbane CBD, creating a second river crossing for the rail network that means more trains more often across the network.

Major construction works have started and are due to be completed in 2024.

LIGHT AT END OF TUNNEL FOR ATTRACTION

THERE'S no escaping the fact one of Brisbane's iconic tourism experiences was facing a bleak future at the peak of the city's pandemic lockdown.

In the words of Boggo Road Gaol managing director and well-known ghost and crime historian Jack Sim, it was looking "pretty grim".

But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Bookings for the daily history tours at the jail are picking up, the recent holidays were busy inside the old prison walls, and school groups will be returning this term.

Beyond that, the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project, with its underground station a stone's throw from the jail's front gates, promises to put Boggo Road on the map again.

Mr Sim, who has been running prison tours for over 20 years, said the area needed a modern transport service.

"When I started here in 1998, the jail was a long way out of town, it was a challenge getting people here," he said.

"The local population has really increased since then, and there's now a need to make it easier to get people to this precinct.

"We get international visitors from Europe and Asia – less so at the moment, obviously – and they expect to use first class public transport.

"That's what Cross River Rail will be, and we think it's a great investment for this area."

[ozbob]

^

The puff piece series continues in the CM. Has not touched on any real operational aspects.  Nor is it likely hey?   

Each piece has been juxtaposed with another CRR advertisement.  Must be the ' arrangement '.

[BrizCommuter]

Lazy journalism!

[kram0]

Has anyone heard anything further on the pedestrian bridge that is meant to link the PA precinct with Boggo/Park Road station? The bridge does still appear on the video from CRRDA.