Cross River Rail Project

[ozbob]

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2021/1031-2021.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 1031
Asked on 14 September 2021

MR R STEVENS ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to the item on the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority Contract Disclosure Log
2020–21 referred to as 'CRRDA-231-18 V005 Commercial Services and Market Research' worth
$278,826 from supplier KPMG—


Will the Minister advise what market research was undertaken and provide the full findings?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Mermaid Beach for the question.

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority (the Delivery Authority) has engaged KPMG to assist in
the assessment of the project's social licence and project information messaging.

Infrastructure Australia's An Assessment of Australia's Future Infrastructure Needs: The
Australian Infrastructure Audit 2019 notes that "community opposition has contributed to the delay
or cancellation of more than $20 billion of infrastructure projects over the last decade".

The market research gives the Delivery Authority insight into the community's understanding of
the project which, in turn, assists in raising awareness about the project, including construction
impacts, and project benefits.

While the specifics of this research activity and the full research findings are commercial-inconfidence,
the research has identified strong community support for Cross River Rail and the transformative role
it will play in how people travel to, from, and around South East Queensland.

Public support for Cross River Rail is at a high level because residents of South East Queensland
understand its benefits, including new stations and extra service capacity for Gold Coast
commuters. The community further understands it is the Palaszczuk Government that has made
difficult decisions to deliver this project.

====

" .. While the specifics of this research activity and the full research findings are commercial-inconfidence,  .. "

I call bullsh%t!  This stuff is no more commercial in confidence than my bum!

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RailExpressNews/status/1452840295280697354

[ozbob]

Media Release  27th October 2021

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Cross River Rail keeps new train stabling yard on track with major milestone

The first sections of track have been laid as part of a crucial expansion of the Mayne Yard train depot, marking a huge milestone for South East Queensland's growing rail network.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said a new stabling facility at Mayne Yard North would help boost network efficiency and capacity.

"This marks a really significant milestone for the new stabling facility at Mayne Yard North," Mr Bailey said.

"Once complete, the stabling yard will allow up to 17 additional six-car trains to be stabled on site, which boosts stabling capacity at the inner-city depot by more than a third.

"Not only does it form part of the wider enabling works underway at Mayne Yard and Clapham Yard ahead of Cross River Rail's opening, but it will also support our record $7.1 billion investment in 65 new trains to be built in Queensland in time for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"The new facility will help ensure our rail network has the capacity to stable, clean and maintain the trains that our growing region will need into the future."

With the year of tunnelling coming to a close, Mr Bailey said the action on Cross River Rail worksites across the South East was ramping up.

"The Cross River Rail project is an important part of Queensland's future – creating long-lasting jobs and quality infrastructure as the state's population booms and we plan for the Games, he said.

"And it's because of our strong response to COVID-19 that we can get on with the job of delivering this massive infrastructure project on time.

"Soon, we'll see tunnel boring machines, Else and Merle, break ground at the northern portal. Officially connecting Brisbane's north and south via twin tunnels under the river.

"This is a massive feat of engineering that more than 7700 workers can boast they had a hand in building."

Mr Bailey said while Mayne Yard North at Bowen Hills was one of the lesser-known Cross River Rail worksites, it was one of the largest and most impressive.

"All up, almost four-and-a-half kilometres of track will be laid at Mayne Yard North, made up of about 28,000 tonnes of rock ballast, almost 5,800 concrete sleepers, and 95 individual lengths of rail," he said.

"Around 100 workers are on site every day completing a range of activities, including installing foundations and masts for overhead electrical lines, earthworks, installing stormwater drainage, and constructing new train crew facilities as well as a new state-of-the-art graffiti removal shed.

"The site is a hive of activity, and a perfect example of how Cross River Rail is transforming South East Queensland now and into the future."

Mr Bailey said the project was helping to boost Queensland, right when it's needed most.

"Major infrastructure projects backed by the Palaszczuk Government are creating jobs and rebuilding Queensland's economy through a consistent pipeline of work," he said.

"This extends to more than 1500 subcontractors and suppliers that also benefit from Cross River Rail.

"Pumping more than $4 million a day into the economy, this critical project is helping drive Queensland's economic recovery from COVID-19."

Mr Bailey said Mayne Yard North was expected to be commissioned in mid-2022, and then further enabling works would commence on the wider Mayne Yard depot.

Mayne Yard fast facts:

    Enabling works at Mayne Yard depot at Bowen Hills are required ahead of Cross River Rail's opening.
    The works include an expansion of the depot, known as Mayne Yard North, which will be home to an additional infrastructure, including a 17 six-car train-capacity stabling yard (adding to capacity for 29 six-car trains at Mayne Yard West and 18 six-car trains at Mayne Yard East), a new train crew building and a graffiti removal facility.
    More than 4.4km of track will be laid at Mayne Yard North, consisting of 28,000 tonnes of ballast, 5,787 concrete sleepers 8,854m (490 tonnes) of rail.
    There are around 100 workers a day at Mayne Yard North, and 13 apprentices and trainees on site.
    Mayne Yard North is expected to be commissioned and ready for service mid-next year, and enabling works will then take place at the existing Mayne Yard depot, which are expected to be completed in 2024.

ENDS

[MTPCo]

Well that's the end of that, then.

[Gazza]

End of what?

[MTPCo]

The end of any prospect of a sensible outcome on the northern end of the project. Once that yard is built, it will be virtually impossible to retrofit.

[BrizCommuter]

The end of any prospect of a sensible outcome on the northern end of the project. Once that yard is built, it will be virtually impossible to retrofit.

The project is now screwed at both ends.

[ozbob]

[verbatim9]

I cycle the Normanby Bikeway quite often and it seems the tunnel portal entrance is now quite advanced. Concrete retaining walls are almost complete etc...

They have also created a special path for the TBM to be towed out at the corner of Gregory Tce and Bridge Road Spring Hill.

[verbatim9]

The temporary path for the TBM removal that leads into the corner of Gregory Tce and Bridge road.  November 4.

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1460382311464062977

[brissypete]

https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/construction/fairfield-to-salisbury-construction/fairfield-station-rebuild/

Fairfield Station to close from 13th December until mid 2022, Yeronga to reopen the same day.  Fairfield is my local so will be interesting to observe the progress.

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

[brissypete]

Additionally here is the translink notice, good to see both the 196 and 100 listed as alternative buses along with Stationlink 109.

https://translink.com.au/updates/62586

[techblitz]

Will definitely be missing Fairfield station while its closed...
The coles nearby is pretty much my local....even though I don't live locally ....as its the closest full service supermarket(along with beenleigh woolies) on that line.
Very handy for a quick duck-in-out shop from the train line when coming from the northside.

[verbatim9]

AFR---> QIC to steer $3b in projects above new Brisbane metro

Queensland Investment Corporation will take a prominent role shaping Brisbane's skyline in the run-up to the 2032 Olympics after being appointed to manage development above four new underground stations, a real estate play potentially worth $3 billion or more.

The four stations – Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street – are part of the $5 billion Cross River Rail project, which includes an underground component being

[verbatim9]

In Qld---> QIC gets prized role in $3b 'city-shaping' redevelopment of Cross River Rail sites

[kram0]

'Demolition work has already started at Roma St which is expected to be an aquatic centre for the Olympics as well as the site for basketball. It has also been proposed as the site for an 18,000 seat entertainment venue known as Brisbane Live.'

Do journalist not do research on their articles before they publish? Roma Street will NOT host basketball, that stadium is being built in Albion. 

[timh]

'Demolition work has already started at Roma St which is expected to be an aquatic centre for the Olympics as well as the site for basketball. It has also been proposed as the site for an 18,000 seat entertainment venue known as Brisbane Live.'

Do journalist not do research on their articles before they publish? Roma Street will NOT host basketball, that stadium is being built in Albion. 

Brisbane Live is also the same building as the Aquatic centre for the Olympics. The pool will be a temporary installation.

Even worse reporting is Fin Review who can't seem to tell the difference between CRR and Brisbane Metro!

Sent from my SM-G780F using Tapatalk

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/93838

Woolloongabba Cross River Rail development to factor in Olympic legacy

19th November 2021

JOINT STATEMENT

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics Infrastructure
The Honourable Dr Steven Miles

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games have taken another step forward with the planning arrangements around the future Woolloongabba Cross River Rail station and Games master planning activities to be linked.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the planning arrangements would deliver a super connected precinct and support the Gabba as the proposed main stadium when Queensland hosts the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"Most of the planning for the Priority Development Area (PDA) took place before Brisbane was confirmed as the host city for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games," Mr Miles said.

"Brisbane's bid was helped enormously because we are already building Cross River Rail and most of the venues are already built or will be temporary.

"But because the 2032 Games will serve as a catalyst for a long-needed redevelopment of The Gabba, it makes sense to put a new interim land use plan in place while significant work is undertaken to understand how it relates to the broader PDA.

"This smart planning will deliver a super connected games hub just two kilometres from the CBD, and support an upgrade of the Gabba to a capacity of around 50,000."

The existing interim land use plan (ILUP) for the Woolloongabba Cross River Rail Priority Development Area (PDA) will be replaced from next Wednesday, 24 November 2021.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the opportunity would see the economic and community outcomes maximised for East Brisbane locals and the state as whole.

"This is a terrific opportunity to deliver the new underground station at Woolloongabba while also determining how to ensure the 2032 Games leave a lasting legacy for Brisbane and Queensland," Mr Bailey said.

"Cross River Rail is a massive project that will completely transform the way people travel to and from Brisbane's inner city.

"Pumping more than $4 million a day into the economy, this critical project is helping drive Queensland's economic recovery from COVID-19 and was key to securing the Games.

"This new land use plan will include specific provisions for affordable and social housing, and co-designed public space outcomes – honouring the commitment made at last year's election.

"It protects and maintains our commitment to ensure the Gabba precinct includes 50 per cent open space as well as affordable housing for nurses, teachers and other frontline workers.

"The community will be able to have its say on the PDA next year when a proposed development scheme is released for public consultation."

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, Economic Development Queensland, and other relevant agencies would work together on the planning for the Woolloongabba CRR PDA.

"We're writing a new chapter for the Gabba, the city and the state."

For more information about the Woolloongabba Cross River Rail PDA and interim land use plan, visit the EDQ or Cross River Rail websites.

ENDS

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RailExpressNews/status/1461505015428702212

[verbatim9]

Brisbane Development---> QIC Appointed Developer of Cross River Rail Station Precincts

[verbatim9]

^^The page on this site has put together some great pics and a video of what's to occur.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1463578639153315847

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Full bore: First Cross River Rail tunnel set to break through $

A major milestone will be reached in the state's $5.4 billion infrastructure project on Thursday as the first borer breaks through.

Cross River Rail's first tunnel boring machine will crash through its final wall of rock today in a major milestone for the $5.4 billion infrastructure project.

The 1.3-tonne tunnel boring machine Else is expected to break through the tunnel's northern entrance about 10am.

It means the first of two 5.9km tunnels – running from Boggo Rd to Fortitude Valley – has been dug ahead of the 2025 opening.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the breakthrough was a significant achievement in the project, which helped the state win the 2032 Olympic Games and will transform the CBD.

"To have one of two tunnels already complete is a great coup," she said.

"We're investing in major infrastructure projects like this one to create jobs, ease congestion and plan for the future.

"Cross River Rail will take thousands of cars off the road throughout southeast Queensland and will make it quicker and easier to commute in the River City."

Boring machine Else has tunnelled 3.8km from Woolloongabba, under the Brisbane River to Albert St and then to Roma St before emerging at Cross River Rail's northern portal after almost one year underground.

State Development Minister Steven Miles said: "This tunnel will service new stations being built in more convenient locations, including the Brisbane CBD's first new station in more than a century." ...

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/93902

First of Cross River Rail's twin tunnels complete
25th November 2021

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Olympics
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics Infrastructure
The Honourable Dr Steven Miles

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

The first of Cross River Rail's Tunnel Boring Machines has seen the daylight, for the first time in ten months.

The mega project is one of many being delivered by the Palaszczuk Government and is an important part of the state's COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk praised the progress made on the transformational $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project.

"This project was integral in delivering us the 2032 Olympic Games," the Premier said.

"At the centre of this project is 5.9 kilometres of twin tunnels under the Brisbane CBD.

"To have one of two tunnels already complete is a great coup.

"We're investing in major infrastructure projects like this one to create jobs, ease congestion and plan for the future.

"Cross River Rail will take thousands of cars off the road throughout southeast Queensland and will make it quicker
and easier to commute in the River City."

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the significance of the 1350-tonne TBM Else's breakthrough at the project's northern portal today could not be understated.

"To have one of the TBMs finish its journey today is a massive milestone," Mr Miles said.

"TBM Else has tunnelled 3.8 kilometres from Woolloongabba, under the Brisbane River to Albert Street and then onto Roma Street to emerge here at Cross River Rail's Northern Portal.

"By unlocking the congested inner city rail network, Cross River Rail will transform how we travel throughout South Eastern Queensland.

"This tunnel will service new stations being built in more convenient locations, including the Brisbane CBD's first new station in more than a century.

"It will mean quicker journeys and help ease congestion on our roads."

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the milestone marked the end of the tunnelling for TBM Else – named after trailblazing engineer Professor Else Shepherd AM.

"The TBMs have been an iconic part of this project, and today we acknowledge and congratulate the crews who made TBM Else's journey below the Brisbane River and CBD a success," Mr Bailey said.

"TBM Else will be disassembled and then lifted out of the northern portal piece-by-piece by the same 280-tonne gantry crane that lowered her into the Woolloongabba station box.

"Else has done a huge job excavating 155,000 cubic metres of tunnel, the equivalent of 62 Olympic swimming pools.

"Cross River Rail's second mega machine – TBM Merle – will also breakthrough in coming weeks, marking an end to the project's 'year of tunnelling'."

Education Minister and Member for McConnel Grace Grace said the project's northern portal at Normanby was an impressive work site in its own right, with 40 workers making sure it was ready for the arrival of the project's two mega machines.

"Crews have been working 24/7 to finish excavating the 12-metre-deep TBM extraction box, while also building the portal structure itself," Ms Grace said.

"All up, 240 pre-cast roof components, each 18 metres wide and weighing almost 26 tonnes will be installed on site, which is where trains will enter and exit the twin tunnels when Cross River Rail is operational."

Mr Miles said the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project was an important part of Queensland's future, with the state's population continuing to grow rapidly.

"Major infrastructure projects backed by the Palaszczuk Government are creating jobs and rebuilding Queensland's economy," he said.

"Pumping more than $4 million a day into the economy, this critical project is helping drive Queensland's economic recovery from COVID-19 and was key to securing the 2032 Olympics.

"With 88% of net interstate migration heading to Queensland in coming years, the next decade is about growth, and Games, and both will drive public transport demand.

"Soon, transport times will be cut down for those commuting into the city and Games goers will use these very tunnels to get to and from event precincts right across the South East."

ENDS

[Jonno]

I don't buy the "connecting the new Boggo Rd Station directly to the old station" is going to be expensive and require outages or disruptions.  They have already dug a station cavern under most of the platforms and have definitely dug a rail tunnel under all of it  The station cavern only needs to be extended by 40-50m above the rail tunnel. The cost to do it now whilst constructing the station compared to a retrofit would be significant.  It could even be linked up the exiting lift on Platform 1  I just don't get the logic?   Baby with batch water.  Noting the whole Park Road Station needs a good upgrade...and renamed.



I do like the look of Roma Street with the new busway stations underneath the Main Canopy . I don't see anything stopping the whole station being 1 gated station.  Even if bus passengers tag through gates this is no different to tagging on the bus itself. The tag off when they jump off just like they do today.  Hopefully Cultural Centre and other multi-modal stations end up this way.

[verbatim9]

That would be nice

[Gazza]

I also didnt get the comment in the meeting that the platforms at Park Rd are too narrow.
They are big single sided things with vacant land inside the curve where you could build lifts and stairs.
And yeah they could do a bridge during the track possession for the tie in.

[Jonno]

Personally I don't see the need to walk to back to the new station to then just walk back to the existing platforms.  The cavern is right underneath.  Park Rd needs a major makeover as the whole thing looks like a dogs breakfast.  Apologies to all dogs. Even they couldn't  make it look that bad.  It has a car park despite it being an inner city station and holding what 20 or so cars.   Every other Station is getting a make over but the   one that looks like a Frankenstein monster is ignored.

I am no engineer but if the cavern can already go under half the train station it can go under the rest. Yes The busway would need to become part of an integrated station.  It always should have.

Platform 6 on the busway is pretty much at the same level as the 1st lower level of the new station but we are making passengers walk up stairs around and back down gains. It's straight out of an episode of Utopia. 

"But the station is just over there and right underneath the other platforms?" "Yes sir but the designers thought it was easier to get the passengers to walk 300m, tag off and then tag back on?"

"Riiiiiight"

[ozbob]

[brissypete]

Just noticed at Dutton Park that the curve that connects to the Cleveland line from the Beenleigh appears to be being rerouted  to the PA side of the tunnel portal.  Track laying work is in progress and some overhead masts are in place.

From overhead masts already in place it seems some realignment of the Beenleigh line track will also happen.

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

[verbatim9]

Just noticed at Dutton Park that the curve that connects to the Cleveland line from the Beenleigh appears to be being rerouted  to the PA side of the tunnel portal.  Track laying work is in progress and some overhead masts are in place.

From overhead masts already in place it seems some realignment of the Beenleigh line track will also happen.

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

Yeah I saw that yesterday too on the way to Altandi on the train.

[ozbob]

Just noticed at Dutton Park that the curve that connects to the Cleveland line from the Beenleigh appears to be being rerouted  to the PA side of the tunnel portal.  Track laying work is in progress and some overhead masts are in place.

From overhead masts already in place it seems some realignment of the Beenleigh line track will also happen.

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

There will be track slews done during the Christmas closures.

[ozbob]

Sent to Minister for Transport and CRRDA

New Boggo Road Station Disadvantages the Elderly and People with a Disability

28th November 2021

Dear Minister Bailey,

As you would be aware, RAIL Back On Track has been a strong supporter of the co-located Boggo Rd Station since the Cross River Rail (CRR) project was announced under the Bligh Government. Clearly the station will serve as an important junction for passenger changing modes between Cleveland line and the Busway to UQ and support the Priority Development Area.

We were happy to stand up against opposition assertions that the station was merely to support property investment for the local member, and we were happy to be quoted in Parliament that opposition alternatives like a putting a new station off by itself at Dutton Park were not satisfactory for the task at hand (1, 2, 3).

However, our members are concerned that the current design of Boggo Road will not offer a good interchange experience.

Based on our recent meeting with the CRRDA, the current proposal is for passengers to exit the Cross River Rail station, walk under an awning along the length of the street to the opposite end of the existing station, where the current narrow footbridge is, and then finally head down to the platforms. This arrangement means passengers will have to walk a circuitous route over 300m long in some cases when interchanging. In effect the old and new stations have been treated as separate facilities rather than being redeveloped as a seamless transport hub. This particularly disadvantages the elderly and people with impaired mobility.

Because this was not in the scope of the Pulse Consortium, we face a very real prospect of Cross River Rail opening with an interchange station that doesn't provide this seamless experience passengers need.

We propose a new footbridge with lifts/stairs (4).  This would allow passengers to shortcut directly to every platform.
This arrangement would better cater to increased passenger volumes, a key driver of the CRR project.

The Gold Coast and Cleveland lines will be having several track closures in the coming years due to CRR works, so the installation of the bridge could occur during these shutdowns.

We acknowledge and support the new cycle bridge is being provided in this area as well towards the south of the PDA and the PA Hospital, however this will not address the immediate needs of passenger circulating within the Boggo Rd /Park Road station complex. A two bridge solution is needed.

As a final note, we believe that the current "Park Road" station platforms should be renamed "Boggo Road" when Cross River Rail opens. It does not make sense to have half of the platforms with one name, and half with another.

Some of the savings from the cancellation of the Roma St busway relocation could be diverted to fund the construction of  the proposed bridge.

Regards
Robert

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

References:

1. Hansard 12th August 2020

https://backontrack.org/docs/crr/boggo/hansard12aug20.jpg




2.  https://backontrack.org/docs/crr/boggo/tweet1.jpg

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1293356191423242241

3.   https://backontrack.org/docs/crr/boggo/tweet2.jpg

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1293356778969690112

4. Proposed new footbridge

https://backontrack.org/docs/crr/boggo/footbridgenew.jpg

(high resolution  https://backontrack.org/docs/crr/boggo/footbridge.jpg)

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1467669740818550789

[brissypete]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1467669740818550789

And from looking at old maps the old Gabba line branched off where CRR will.  There are some old tracks in the concrete behind the PA as well beside Kent St.

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

[brissypete]

Details of the major works at the Southern Portal area over Christmas / New Year closure.  The southbound track will be realigned to run to the east side of the portal, the new track is already largely constructed.

Also track lowering for the dual gauge will take place at Fairfield with various road closures as well as the station overpass closed for that period.

https://cross-river-rail.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/02120630/434_SAW_Upcoming_rail_corridor_works_December_Final.pdf

https://cross-river-rail.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/07143051/0147_WN_-_Construction_update_-_Fairfield_December_2021-January_2022.pdf

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[ozbob]

Queensland Government accused of $250 million cost blowout for train signalling upgrades | 7NEWS

9th December 2021