Cross River Rail Project

[Cazza]

If anything, it gives them an excuse if any cost blowouts occur elsewhere

In all seriousness, they really do seem to be too focussed on CRR itself and once it's built, being able to say for the 30 years following "look, we built CRR" " look at us, we built this" "the LNP didn't build CRR we did" "we are the good guys" etc etc etc.

Some of the stuff the Minister for Social Media is saying about this project really does hurt my brain, it truely is tiring.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Opinion: Labor digging us into a hole with Cross River Rail $

... And many serious questions are still unanswered, says Graham Young, the executive director of the Australian Institute of Progress. He says there has been little transparency ...

... Young fears taxpayers are being taken for a ride, with the real cost to eclipse $7bn. He also believes cross-river rail is a form of privatisation by stealth.

Young also points to governance issues detailed in a report commissioned for AIP by Professor Phil Charles of the Transport Futures Institute international rail consultant Phil Sayeg. ..

"The report identifies a number of planning and governance risks and failures which provide lessons for the future,'' Young said.

"These risk a cost blowout which will crowd-out other much-needed infrastructure."

The cost may have already ballooned to $7.16bn because of cost overruns.

"The consultants call for an immediate review, which we believe should have the powers of a Commission of Inquiry." ...

... The AIP believes it would be sensible for independent review to include a full technical review, identification of major risks, as well as confirmation of the total direct, indirect, and associated capital costs for the project and the whole-of-life operating costs for the project.

Bailey declined to be interviewed.

A press minder issued a statement in his name saying the project was "on-track for completion in 2024, and on budget"...

... "The report identifies a governance risk,'' Young said.

"While the Cross River Rail Development Authority originally had an independent board, the board members are currently heads of various government departments." ...

There is a bit in this article, an opinion piece by Des H. ... a number of concerns we have raised previously. 
This is well above the usual standard.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1345023701016666112

[ozbob]

Still haven't update the website.  Attention to detail is just not there ...

https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/about/our-people/*

*accessed 7:25am 2nd January 2021

Governance and the Cross River Rail Delivery Board

Further to the Ministerial Direction available here, the Cross River Rail Delivery Board reports directly to the Minister responsible for Cross River Rail, the Honourable Kate Jones MP.

The Cross River Rail Delivery Board

Membership of the Board is:

Mr Damien Walker, Director-General, Department of State Development, Tourism and Innovation (Chair)
Mr Dave Stewart, Director-General, Department of the Premier and Cabinet
Ms Rachel Hunter, Under Treasurer, Queensland Treasury
Mr Neil Scales OBE, Director-General, Department of Transport and Main Roads
Dr Sarah Pearson, Deputy Director-General, Department of State Development, Tourism and Innovation
Mr Matthew Longland, Deputy Director-General, Department of Transport and Main Roads
Ms Amanda Yeates, Deputy Director-General, Infrastructure Management and Delivery, Department of Transport and Main Roads

^

A non-independent board, good to see that we are not the only ones concerned with this situation.

====

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1345120185087266816

[ozbob]

^

Advice received that the web page has now been updated ... 

https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/about/our-people/

" ... Cross River Rail Delivery Board reports directly to the Minister responsible for Cross River Rail, the Honourable Mark Bailey MP. ... "

[ozbob]

I forwarded this email to the Premier on the 25th December 2020 asking why we are ignored?

Correspondence sent today:

To:

The Honourable Mark Bailey MP Minister for Transport and Main Roads

CRRDA Board:
Mr Damien Walker Chair
Mr Dave Stewart
Ms Rachel Hunter
Mr Neil Scales OBE
Dr Sarah Pearson
Mr Matthew Longland
Ms Amanda Yeates

CRRDA

Suggestion to include tunnel stubs south of Park Road

14th November 2020

Dear Minister and CRRDA Board Chair and Members,

The changes to the Cross River Rail tunnel southern portal, including the relocation of Dutton Park station, is a welcomed change. The tortuous track grades and curvature required to make Dutton Park work in the present location would have presented serious problems for rollingstock, including wheel wear and the potential for slippage in wet conditions.

However, the change also presents an opportunity to incorporate a design component that has been called for by various observers including RAIL Back On Track, which is the inclusion of tunnel stubs south of Park Road. The previous design would have almost certainly precluded this feature, whereas the new alignment and methodology will make this relatively easy and inexpensive to include. These tunnel stubs effectively future-proof the corridor for an eventual southern extension as was envisioned in the original CRR design, and will - according to expert analysis - be required in the near future to cater for the growth in freight and passenger volumes.

The opportunity to do this now comes at essentially no cost - either monetary or political capital - and will be strongly supported by rail advocates.

Please do not miss this opportunity to incorporate this critical design change.

Thank you for your consideration.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2020/1154-2020.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 1154

Asked on 2 December 2020

MR T WATTS ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

Will the Minister advise what advice has been given by Queensland Rail about derogations from
Rail Safety Standards in relation to the Cross River Rail Southern Area Modification and explain
each issue raised?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Toowoomba North for the question.

Queensland Rail has been working closely with the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority (Delivery
Authority) and the Department of Transport and Main Roads to support the successful delivery
and implementation of the Cross River Rail project.

Queensland Rail was involved in the review of the revised concept design associated with the
Southern Area modification and noted the design was compliant with the Cross River Rail project
track specification.

The revised design did result in some derogations, but these do not give rise to any residual
safety concerns. This advice was provided to the Delivery Authority. The acceptance of these
derogations is being addressed as part of the design development and finalisation process, and
in accordance with Queensland Rail's safety management system.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Planned 91-storey CBD tower tries to navigate Cross River Rail headache

... A Cross River Rail Development Authority spokesman said the "volumetric land required to construct Cross River Rail, including that of 30 Albert Street, has been acquired in line with the Acquisition of Land Act 1967".

"The proponents seeking to develop 30 Albert Street will need to take the Cross River Rail project into account with any proposal it puts forward for the site," he said. ...

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/91263

Government Media Statement

Cross River Rail's first mega machine to "disappear" under Brisbane

6th January 2021

Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services
The Honourable Mark Ryan

The Palaszczuk Government continues to deliver its plan for economic recovery with the first huge Cross River Rail Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) about to head underground.

Part of the Palaszczuk Government's $50 billion infrastructure pipeline over the next four years, the TBM will lay the foundations for a new rail line and more construction jobs, and only re-emerge later this year after it has finished tunnelling under the Brisbane River and CBD.

Acting Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Ryan, who inspected TBM Else – named after trailblazing female engineer Else Shepherd AM – said she would now be moved into position underground in the Woolloongabba site's station cavern to commence tunnelling later this month.

"2021 is the year of tunnelling for the transformational Cross River Rail project, and this milestone really marks the start of it," he said.

"Thanks to the health response of Queenslanders, the Palaszczuk Government has been able to get on with the job of creating jobs and delivering our state's COVID-19 economic recovery plan, which includes building Cross River Rail.

"More than 100 local companies and 40 workers have played a role in bringing these TBMs to life, part of the 2,400 people so far who have worked on Cross River Rail.

"The Palaszczuk Government is creating thousands of jobs in industries like construction as part of Cross River Rail, and another 23,600 jobs right across Queensland as part of our record $26.9 billion roads and transport program.

"After today, TBM Else won't see the light of day until she emerges from the project's northern portal at Normanby towards the end of the year.

"Cross River Rail's other 1350-tonne mega machine – TBM Merle – will follow shortly after to ensure the project's twin tunnels are completed before the year is out."

Mr Ryan said a traditional indigenous ceremony was held to mark the significant milestone.

"The TBMs have one of the most crucial jobs of the entire project – excavating the bulk of Cross River Rail's 5.9 kilometres of twin tunnels right under the Brisbane River and CBD," he said.

"It is only fitting that we mark such an important occasion for the project, with the traditional owners' ceremony intended to wish TBM Else and the tunnellers safe passage as they make their way underground."

Mr Ryan said the TBMs would tunnel through 20 to 30 metres of hard rock a day, with a crew of up to 15 people working on them at any one time.

"From Woolloongabba, the TBMs will tunnel under the river and break through to Albert Street station at a depth of 31 metres in mid-2021 and continue to Roma Street before emerging at the project's northern portal at Normanby," he said.

"The TBMs will line the tunnel walls as they go with 25,000 massive precast concrete segments, weighing 4.2 tonnes each."

Tunnel Boring Machine fast facts:

Each TBM weighs 1350 tonnes and is 165 metres long;
More than 40 truck movements are required to transport each TBM to site in parts;
A crew of up to 15 people will work in a TBM at any one time;
TBMs will work at a rate of 20 to 30 metres per day;
The TBMs will install 25,000 concrete segments weighing 4.2 tonnes each along the tunnel walls as they go;
At their deepest point the tunnels will be 58m below the surface at Kangaroo Point, and 42m below the Brisbane River;
Each TBM is fully equipped with crew facilities, offices and toilets;
The TBMs will generate 290,000 cubic metres of spoil as they make way for the twin Cross River Rail tunnels.

ENDS 

[timh]

I had an idea come to me in a dream of all things for how to fix the Dutton Park - Yeerongpilly section in a (possibly) cheaper fashion. Hear me out, let me know if this is silly.

What if the long tunnel was built from Dutton Park to Moorooka at a later date, but it was only single track?

Again hear me out!

Here's what it would look like:


Beenleigh services in red, continuing onto South Bank and the city subs
Gold Coast services in Gold, continuing onto CRR.
AM Counterpeak train paths to Clapham shown in purple

THE PROS:
- Solves counterpeak speed issues by providing a second outbound track.
- Solves possible lack of services to South Brisbane by now routing Beenleigh line services through there.
- Solves stopping pattern issues inbound of Y'Pilly by allowing Beenleigh line trains to use the new 3rd platform on the dual gauge.
- Significantly lower construction costs compared to a double track long tunnel, while still unlocking full passenger capacity
- Possibly easier to interface with the existing tunnel?? This is where I'm unsure. But I would assume just cutting into the wall on one side to interface onto a single track would be easier and less disruptive than trying to go dual tracks??? Engineer types (@Gazza, @MTPCo) help me out here, I might be totally off. By the way it's worth noting that I've come up with this solution as a result of assuming that there are no tunnel stubs.
- Adequate train paths with no conflicting moves to Clapham Yard are still available.
- More space in the existing corridor for the southern tunnel portal is available at Moorooka than at Yeerongpilly, meaning no (less?) need for property resumptions. See CRR General arrangement 5 for reference: http://eisdocs.dsdip.qld.gov.au/Cross%20River%20Rail/project-change-9/Rfpc9%20-%20web%20plans/Volume%202%20-%20Design%20Drawings/General%20arrangement%20drawings/general-arrangement-5.pdf
- Assuming the quad continues in the same UP UP DOWN DOWN layout further south, you can easily create grade-separated junction at Salisbury (assuming Quad is continued until then) to allow future Beaudesert services to be flexible in which tracks they use heading into the city (see below)


THE CONS:
- The elephant in the room: Freight. The original CRR plans left the dual gauge between Y'Pilly and Dutton Park free for freight services from the Tennyson loop. My idea leaves Beenleigh services using the dual gauge, meaning a worse outcome for freight.
- Creates a conflicting move at Park road (I think) where outbound Beenleigh services cross inbound Cleveland services. Possible could be fixed with a flying junction at Park road in the future?
- Northern train paths are still an issue, so you'd have both Beenleigh AND Cleveland line services feeding into the City subs under the current arrangement, and therefore by extension into the Ferny Grove line which does not require that much capacity. To go along with this, I would hope that you would then address northern capacity constraints by changing the Mayne junction to allow for city subs services to feed Airport/Doomben/Shorncliffe somehow. See current arrangement here for reference: https://i.imgur.com/SIlBfO0.png
- Inbound passengers at Moorooka would have to use my magical new invented 4th platform ALLLLL the way over on the Western side on the passing loop. Not ideal.
- UP UP DOWN DOWN is (afaik) not the preferred layout (but we have it on the inner Ipswich line I think soooo...)
- Relies very heavily on continuing Quad track in this manner until Kuraby, because the UP UP DOWN DOWN would make it very difficult to interface with 3 tracks south of Salisbury with one of those tracks being bi-directional based on peak flow (I think. Again not sure about this one and I might be wrong)

I very much understand this is not an ideal scenario. My thinking here was to try and come up with something that is close to the ideal scenario, while working within the bounds we currently have (track layout north of Moorooka, no tunnel stubs) and a government bent on spending as little as possible.

Let me know what you think.

[nathandavid88]

According to the Gold Coast Bulletin, (early)works are set to begin on the ground for the first of the Gold Coast's three new railway stations at Pimpama, Helensvale North* and Merrimac.
In addition, the Government is reportedly considering a residents and councillors request to rename Helensvale North to a (IMHO) more appropriate Hope Island Station.

Revealed: Work starts on three new rail stations which will change northern Gold Coast
Work is to begin on the ground this week on building the Gold Coast's three new railway stations with the State Government under pressure to change the name at one northern stop. HOW THEY'LL LOOK WHEN FINISHED

WORK is to begin on the ground this week on building the Gold Coast's three new railway stations — and the State Government is under pressure to change the name of one of them.

The Palaszczuk Government will consider a request from councillors and residents to change Helensvale North station to Hope Island station.

*snip*

A Cross River Rail Delivery Authority spokesperson said geotechnical works would start at Pimpama this week.

*snip*

Asked if Helensvale North could be renamed Hope Island Station, the spokesperson said: "The delivery authority is aware of community feedback regarding the name of the Helensvale North train station, and this will be considered in line with the station design.

Source: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/revealed-work-starts-on-three-new-rail-stations-which-will-change-northern-gold-coast/news-story/67785eb1eebe81c1bc9f58c6372a1335

[kram0]

So reading the comments on the GC Bulletin, many are voicing their concern about the extra time this will add to the journey.

Is the best and most effective option once CRR is operational (even if only in peak) to have 2 stopping patterns to speed up journey times?

[SurfRail]

I doubt overall journey times from any existing Gold Coast station to Albert Street will change as against the same trip today to Central.  My expectation is any increase in journey time arising from the 3 new stations will net off against journey savings achieved via CRR.  The net benefit in having those 3 locations better connected to Brisbane and the rest of the coast will outweigh the disbenefit.

There's only so much parking availability in the CBD and near CBD, so even if there was a 5 minute increase I can't see some meteoric fall in patronage because of that.  The new stations will drive gains too.

[nathandavid88]

So reading the comments on the GC Bulletin, many are voicing their concern about the extra time this will add to the journey.

Is the best and most effective option once CRR is operational (even if only in peak) to have 2 stopping patterns to speed up journey times?

Do you mean two GC stopping patterns in addition to the standard all stations Beenleigh service? Can the line support that, even just in peak?

[kram0]

So reading the comments on the GC Bulletin, many are voicing their concern about the extra time this will add to the journey.

Is the best and most effective option once CRR is operational (even if only in peak) to have 2 stopping patterns to speed up journey times?

Do you mean two GC stopping patterns in addition to the standard all stations Beenleigh service? Can the line support that, even just in peak?

Hi Nathan, yes I am just referring to the GC line. I am not sure how it would work or if line capacity would allow with the current infrastructure (or if they would need to reduce frequency to provide a time saving to the journey with two stopping patterns) but it's just an idea I had as journey times for an 'express' line are increasing.

I know CRR will offset time from these extra stations, but the whole selling point was to reduce travel times.

[BrizCommuter]

It is quite likely there will be two GC Line peak direction service patterns, especially if the GC Line has to serve stations between Beenleigh and Loganlea as well (with Beenleigh Line services curtailed to the 3rd platform at Loganlea).

[Jonno]

I seem to recall the northern end of CRR where it rejoined the main lines north was changed to be at surface track not an "underpass" (pardon my casual language).  I travel past the works site such day on the train and it certainly looks like they have dug a trench and are driving/digging pilions into the ground just north of the Ferny Grove flyover.  Have I got this wrong?

[red dragin]

I don't know either way on a dive being built, but I do know that the entire Mayne North Yard had no drainage at all, which is being installed as part of the CRR works (as well as raising the ground level).

The piling possibly relates to this?

[timh]

I seem to recall the northern end of CRR where it rejoined the main lines north was changed to be at surface track not an "underpass" (pardon my casual language).  I travel past the works site such day on the train and it certainly looks like they have dug a trench and are driving/digging pilions into the ground just north of the Ferny Grove flyover.  Have I got this wrong?

I have seen the trench looking thing you're talking about but yeah, current plans is a flat junction and it doesn't look deep enough for trains to go through sadly

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[BrizCommuter]

I seem to recall the northern end of CRR where it rejoined the main lines north was changed to be at surface track not an "underpass" (pardon my casual language).  I travel past the works site such day on the train and it certainly looks like they have dug a trench and are driving/digging pilions into the ground just north of the Ferny Grove flyover.  Have I got this wrong?

The trenches are for storm water drainage.

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/91408

Major works on display for new, year-round Exhibition train station
4th February 2021

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

More jobs are coming online to support Queensland's economic recovery as another Cross River Rail work site ramps up in inner-Brisbane.

Part of the Palaszczuk Government's $50 billion infrastructure pipeline over the next four years, construction has started on the new Exhibition station at the RNA Showgrounds, meaning year-round trains for Brisbane's fastest-growing entertainment, business and health precinct are a step closer.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the station's existing western platform had been demolished so the 75-person construction team could begin on the new Cross River Rail station and tracks.

"This is a really significant milestone for the much-needed upgrade of this station to ensure train services operate here every day of the year, not just for special events like the Ekka," Mr Bailey said.

"The Ekka is the most well-known and celebrated event held each year at the Brisbane Showgrounds, but at their peak, they can host up to 250 events a year.

"This new station will deliver trains into the heart of this heritage-listed precinct for residents and businesses, visitors and staff at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and the thousands of people who visit the Ekka, the Convention Centre and nearby bars and restaurants."

Mr Bailey said the demolition of the western platform would provide the space needed to construct the first tracks of the new station, which would sit up to four metres above the RNA Showgrounds.

"A viaduct will be constructed to support the rail tracks and train platforms over the showgrounds," he said.

"Construction of the viaduct will start soon and the plan if for it to be in operating after next year's Ekka, meaning we'll gradually start to see the final station taking shape."

McConnel MP Grace Grace said more than 75 workers were expected to help construct the new Exhibition station, including six apprentices.

"As we continue to unite and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Cross River Rail is providing employment opportunities and an economic boost right when our state needs it the most," she said.

"The project is injecting $4.1 million a day into Queensland's economy, and has employed more than 2,400 workers so far."

"Over the past decade, the Showgrounds precinct has been transformed into an urban village with new residential and commercial development.

"Cross River Rail's new year round Ekka station will deliver huge improvements to public transport options for the many local residents who now call this part of the inner-city their home."

Ms Grace said the Exhibition station would open for daily use in time for Cross River Rail's opening in 2025, the same year the Brisbane Showgrounds are expected to celebrate their 150 year anniversary.

Exhibition fast facts:

The new Exhibition station will have a new island platform with two platforms for multidirectional travel;

Major works have commenced with the demolition of the station's western platform (platform 3);

Other works on site include piling pad construction, installation of water mains and sewers, and demolition of the existing pavement;

The demolition will allow construction to begin on the new Cross River Rail tracks, which will be used after Ekka 2022 – at which time the existing station's remaining platforms 1 and 2 will be demolished;

A pedestrian link will connect the station to Bowen Bridge Road;

The design includes lifts to the island platform to improve accessibility, movement and safety;

More than 300 people provided feedback on the station design during community consultation in 2020, resulting in design upgrades to align the station more closely with the precinct's look and feel, allow greater disability access, and enhance sun protection;

and the new station is expected to be used by more than 9,000 people each week day by 2036.

ENDS 

[verbatim9]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1357246603032166403

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Demolition work done for new 'year-round' Ekka station

[BrizCommuter]

Looks like big closures over Easter due to CRR works.

[kram0]

https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/new-gold-coast-suburb-rail-fail-as-station-planned-for-wrong-location/news-story/132d013b74c9dc467b5a28acabdc2b94

[Gazza]

https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/new-gold-coast-suburb-rail-fail-as-station-planned-for-wrong-location/news-story/132d013b74c9dc467b5a28acabdc2b94

Whats wrong? The Merrimac location is superior to that alternative at Elysium Rd....better connections to the EW road network, better catchment, and its not on an incline.

[kram0]

https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/new-gold-coast-suburb-rail-fail-as-station-planned-for-wrong-location/news-story/132d013b74c9dc467b5a28acabdc2b94

Whats wrong? The Merrimac location is superior to that alternative at Elysium Rd....better connections to the EW road network, better catchment, and its not on an incline.

It's also not near a major housing project that will be home to 10,000 residents once developed. So it will be just easier to take the car and cause more gridlock on the M1.

[AnonymouslyBad]

I cannot believe we're slowing down GC trains to add some more park'n'rides.

[SurfRail]

https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/new-gold-coast-suburb-rail-fail-as-station-planned-for-wrong-location/news-story/132d013b74c9dc467b5a28acabdc2b94

Whats wrong? The Merrimac location is superior to that alternative at Elysium Rd....better connections to the EW road network, better catchment, and its not on an incline.

It's also not near a major housing project that will be home to 10,000 residents once developed. So it will be just easier to take the car and cause more gridlock on the M1.

Merrimac already has 6-7,000 people living there.

It is not physically possible to put a train station where the developers want it, without closing the line for over a year to change the gradient from Neilsens Rd to halfway to Gooding Drive.  It's also going to be on the other side of the M1 and an industrial estate from this development, no matter which site you pick.

The solution is a proper bus service.

[ozbob]

https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/precincts/roma-street-station-precinct/

A new 'Grand Central'

"The new underground Roma Street station will see Roma Street become Brisbane's 'Grand Central', connecting passengers with the existing suburban bus and rail networks, the proposed Brisbane Metro, as well as regional and interstate bus and train services."

[ozbob]

In Qld --> Much more than just a train station: Meet Brisbane's new 'Grand Central'

A new "Grand Central" precinct to replace the demolition site at Brisbane's Roma St station is set to boast a world-class sports and entertainment centre, public plazas and bars, and even a retirement home. ...

[timh]

I'm curious to see Brisbane Live back in the equation, I thought that was canned due to cost. I'm going to do a thorough read through of the development scheme

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[verbatim9]

What a strange combination Brisbane Live and proposed retirement tower.

[kram0]

Let's hope the existing platform and general station areas also get a long overdue modernisation as part of the total works planned for CRR.

[verbatim9]

https://youtu.be/yvOtQKNs6Tw

[verbatim9]

^^Cross River Rail --> New Roma Street Precinct PDA

^^Now open for comment


There is no underground Busway in this PDA. People can comment and ask for a better solution for the Busway.

I prefer an underground solution myself.

It would also be good to eliminate that inefficient T junction from the Roma Street Busway to the Inner North Busway @ Countess Street.

[ozbob]

For reference:

Government Statement

Roma Street busway interchange digs underground

24 May, 2019

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/87421

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1362140455471771649

[BrizCommuter]

What a strange combination Brisbane Live and proposed retirement tower.

That's not going to end well!

[ozbob]

What a strange combination Brisbane Live and proposed retirement tower.

That's not going to end well!

Hysterical stuff ...  maybe head bangin' boomers can retire there, mostly hard of hearing ...