15 May 2009: SEQ: Cross River Rail Project is under way

[ozbob]

Media Release 15 May 2009

SEQ:  Cross River Rail Project is under way

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has welcomed Minister Nolan's announcement that a project director would soon be appointed for the Cross River Rail project.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back On Track welcomes the Transport Minister's announcement that a project director will be soon appointed for the Cross River Rail project. (1)"

"There is considerable rail engineering expertise in south-east Queensland which has been gained with the significant track upgrades presently under way.  There is a pool of skilled personnel just waiting to move forwards with what will be a transport culture changing project."

"There is tunneling expertise which has been gained with the construction of the Clem7 tunnel."

"Lets leap forwards.  Even at this early stage it is essential however to ensure that what ever is the exact final route for the tunnel from the southern line to the northern line, it pass under Central railway station and provide an interchange between the surface and underground systems."

Reference:

1.   http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=63862

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Some feedback received, thanks!

Equally, the north south rail freight corridor could equally benefit significantly with new tunnelling and access via the old main northern line Wallangarra south through the New England. There's an enormous amount of coal coming from the Gunnedah region that could be split north rather than crossing the Liverpool Range at Ardglen ( top of the range between Willow Tree on the western side and Murrurundi on the eastern side. The latter was a steam depot in former times. They have been sending coal with massive locomotive power hoping to find a solution less costly than crossing with new tunnels further north and thereby easing the gradient.