Level crossings and Grade separation - level crossing removal

[ozbob]

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Glen Huntly Level Crossing Removals 24th October 2022 Glen Huntly road level crossing is a tram square - a triple...

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on Sunday, 23 October 2022

The Queensland Government needs to ensure that our transport agencies tap into the Victorian expertise.
They know what the doing when it comes to level crossing removals.

Queensland bumbles along ... 

[ozbob]

Remove 3 level crossings.

Ironic that the Sunshine Coast will have more level crossings removed than Brisbane within the next 3 years 

Indeed.  Although we can start to see some potential progress.

5 on the Kuraby - Beenleigh upgrade.

Coopers Plains

Cavendish Road Coorparoo

Beams Road Carseldine

11 potential in SEQ at this time.

[ozbob]

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Planned level crossing removals SEQ - update 30th October 2022 The last level crossings removed in SEQ were completed...

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on Saturday, 29 October 2022

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1586469178847817728

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Planned level crossing removals SEQ - update

2nd November 2022

The last level crossings removed in SEQ were completed in 2014.  They were Telegraph Road Bracken Ridge - road over rail, and Robinson Road Geebung - road over rail.  Since then, none have been removed, but at last there are now plans to start catching up with the program.

Queensland's new Level Crossing Safety Strategy is set to be finalised early in 2023 ( https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-15/new-queensland-level-crossing-strategy-released-2023/101414276 ).

There are already commitments of a sort to remove a number of level crossings, viz.:

a.  Logan - Gold Coast Faster Rail project plans to remove five level crossings.
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/Logan-and-Gold-Coast-Faster-Rail
level crossing removals at Kuraby, Woodridge, Bethania, Holmview and Beenleigh

b.  Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1) three level crossings to be removed.
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/beerburrum-to-nambour-rail-upgrade-stage-1
Closure of 2 private level crossings with alternative access provided.
Replacement of the Barrs Road level crossing in Glass House Mountains with a new road overpass connecting Barrs Road to Moffatt Road.

c.  Boundary Road level crossing Coopers Plains
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/boundary-road-coopers-plains-rail-level-crossing-funding-commitment
Elimination of the rail level crossing for Boundary Road in Coopers Plains. $133 million was provided in the recent Federal Budget.

d.  Beams Road (Carseldine and Fitzgibbon), rail level crossing to be removed, road over rail.
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/beams-road-carseldine-and-fitzgibbon-rail-level-crossing

e.  Part funding for the removal of the Cavendish Road Coorparoo level crossing ($100 million) was provided in the recent Federal Budget.
https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2022/2022_10_26_DAILY.pdf page 3009

So, with regard to level crossing removals things are starting to look a little more promising in SEQ.

For contrast, Victoria has now removed 67 level crossings since 2015 (SEQ zero), they are on track for 85 removals by 2025.  Recent commitments have been made to remove another 25 by 2030, for a total of 110! ( https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project ).

This is roughly two thirds of their level crossings in Melbourne.   An equivalent number in SEQ would be around 35 level crossings.
There are more level crossings that need to be removed in SEQ, but at least a start is being made.

Queensland needs to tap into the experience and expertise of Victoria when it comes to level crossing removals.
Simply assuming that road over rail is the only way to remove level crossings is wrong.  Some can be closed, others, elevated rail, or rail under road are much better solutions to remove level crossings with a lot more benefits to the community.

Best wishes,

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

Sent to all outlets:

Elevated railway is part of the level crossing removal solution.

22nd October 2022




Photographs: Murrumbeena - elevated rail soars over the level crossing it replaced.  R Dow 12 Oct 2022

In the latest Level Crossing removal developments from Victoria, since 2015 they have now removed 67 level crossings in greater Melbourne (SEQ zero). There are further commitments to have a total of 87 removed by 2026, 95 by 2027, 99 by 2028, and 106 by 2029 ( https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project ).

The level crossing removal projects in Victoria have not focussed on a single option, but rather have used a combination of construction methods, namely elevated rail (Sky Rail), rail under road (trench), and road over rail.
There are some early signs of progress towards some level crossing removal projects in SEQ. The default option for level crossing removals in SEQ appears to be road over rail.  This is how Robinson Road level crossing at Geebung was removed in 2014, one of the last level crossings removed in greater Brisbane.

It is timely to look more closely at elevated rail (Sky Rail) as a solution.

The Melbourne School of Design* (University of Melbourne) summarised the potential benefits of elevated rail options for level crossing removals as apart from the safety and reduction in traffic congestion as:
. Greater potential for multi-scale economic and social development related to increased activity around stations.
. Restoration of rail's prominent position in the urban fabric.
. Creation of linear parks and connected quiet streets for safer walking and cycling.
. Opportunities for the fundamental re-organisation of Melbourne's bus system and its connection to the rail network.
. Improved passenger experience, views and wayfinding.

* https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/research/projects/completed/level-crossing-removals-learning-from-melbournes-experience

Full report: THE BENEFITS OF LEVEL CROSSING REMOVALS:
Lessons from Melbourne's historical experience
https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/2733112/LXRA-Report_low_resolution.pdf

There are a number of potential level crossing removals in greater Brisbane that could produce significant community benefits if elevated rail was used, rather than just road over rail!

For example:
COOPERS PLAINS: Boundary Rd
CARSELDINE: Beams Road 
COORPAROO: Cavendish Rd
WYNNUM: Florence St/Ronald Street
WYNNUM NORTH: Wynnum Rd
MITCHELTON: Prospect & Osbourne Rds & Glenholme St
Level crossing removals on the Logan - Gold Coast Faster Rail project

Last week I travelled to Melbourne and reviewed some of the recent level crossing removal projects.
( More photographs can be viewed here > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=263357 ).

It is clear that Queensland needs to take note of the results achieved in Victoria with regards to level crossing removals.
Rather than just dropping into a road over rail with an ugly overpass that doesn't open up the rail corridor, look at these projects as a way of improving the community environment as well as the primary aim of improved safety.

The Melbourne experience is a very positive one.

Our Facebook post on this topic has already generated much interest and strong support.
See > https://railbotforum.org/yourls/2d

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1587511599794749440

[ozbob]

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Planned level crossing removals SEQ - update 30th October 2022 The last level crossings removed in SEQ were completed...

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on Saturday, 29 October 2022

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1594790982004150272

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> After a decade, work on northside rail bottleneck starts after Christmas

A decade after it was recommended as a high-priority project, the Beams Road railway crossing on Brisbane's northside will be removed.

Beams Road is a major traffic corridor between Carseldine and Aspley, linking Gympie and Sandgate roads, and is intersected by the north coast and Redcliffe rail line.

In 2012, Deloitte Access Economics recommended six level crossings in Greater Brisbane be replaced as a priority for the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The level crossing at Beams Road topped the list, followed by Boundary Road, Coopers Plains; Telegraph Road, Bracken Ridge; Cavendish Road, Coorparoo; South Pine Road, Alderley; and Wacol Station Road, Wacol. ...

[ozbob]

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Beams Road (Carseldine and Fitzgibbon), rail level crossing

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/beams-road-carseldine-and-fitzgibbon-rail-level-crossing

[Jonno]

Let the congestion creating begin!!!

[aldonius]

Is there provision for a 4th track in the overpass design? Unclear from what I can see.

[SurfRail]

I don't know that it would be needed in the long run.  Far more important between Petrie and Strathpine, where there is room or where it already partially exists. 

The aim should be to have a situation where the only passenger trains between Strathpine and Northgate are running all-stations through this stretch.  Passenger trains from further north than Petrie along the NCL would all go via Trouts Road.  That can include long-distance - it will be achievable in the long run by moving to entirely electric or dual-power tilts for the regional fleet so everything can use the overhead between Roma Street and Rockhampton / Emerald and can run in any tunnels along the new alignment.  It should still be possible to access Roma Street platform 10 via Normanby from Trouts Road - most likely any connection would be to the Ekka loop north of the CRR portal, so you could route a train from the direction of Trouts Road and Alderley to either Albert Street or Normanby.

That gives you a decent stretch of third track between Strathpine and Northgate for freight and other purposes.

I think we will need to see some curve easing and amplification between Petrie and Caboolture too - even if only a third track and only in sections to allow for Sunshine Coast services to run as proper expresses and cater to freight.

[ozbob]

The concept design for the Boundary Road level crossing removal is locked in 🔒 The majority of you said an elevated,...

Posted by Mark Bailey MP on Monday, 12 December 2022

[verbatim9]

Hopefully,there is a pedestrian and cyclists underpass included in this project. Would be another anomaly if there is isn't one

[Jonno]

Say good bye to walking and your suburb Cooper's Plains!!

[verbatim9]

Apparently the video shows a pedestrian and cycling underpass.

[#Metro]

Good. It means that buses can still get to the train station via Orange Grove Road.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Trains will delay less traffic under Brisbane overpass plans

A third overpass of a Brisbane rail crossing has moved closer to construction after community consultation led governments to agree on the design – if not the funding.

The Australian and Queensland governments on Wednesday released the final design for the four-lane Acacia Ridge overpass to replace the problematic Boundary Road rail crossing. ...

[ozbob]

Boundary Road (Coopers Plains), rail level crossing, funding commitment

> https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/boundary-road-coopers-plains-rail-level-crossing-funding-commitment

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Early work on Brisbane bottleneck puts motorists at risk

Construction at a railway station is forcing cars to crowd onto a footpath 20 metres from a level crossing that's yet to be upgraded as part of a $209 million project on Brisbane's northside.

The problem has emerged directly across Carseldine's Beams Road from another building site, where the Queensland government wants 182 sustainable-energy terrace homes built by 2024.

The Palaszczuk government had said work on the level crossing in Carseldine would begin shortly after Christmas. However, the state opposition last week complained no work had begun.

While that might be true of the level crossing, work to upgrade parking at Carseldine train station has begun but led motorists to park dangerously. ...

[Jonno]

Could and should have been Skyrail!

[HappyTrainGuy]

That pie in the sky idea was never ever going to happen.

[Jonno]

That pie in the sky idea was never ever going to happen.

I know our TMR can only really build roads.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Has nothing to do with roads but the cost to do so for the benefit it would provide. It's like saying the Nambour line should be elevated because of a few driveway crossings which by the way has less incidents than Mayne has on the balloon loop. Actually. Let's skyrail the Mayne yard. Because we love to waste money on expensive ideas.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1627474197382574082

[aldonius]

Looks like there's plenty of extra space under the bridge for a 4th track or busway or whatever. Good.

[RowBro]

There are more images and a better video on the TMR website.

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/beams-road-carseldine-and-fitzgibbon-rail-level-crossing

[RowBro]

Looks like there's plenty of extra space under the bridge for a 4th track or busway or whatever. Good.

[#Metro]

We are removing the Beams Road level crossing at Carseldine.

This is an important project which will help improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists and will get residents on the Northside home quicker.

Wow, distracting music! And are those Melbourne trains on the network? 

[aldonius]

They are suspiciously blue, aren't they? Must be whatever 3D model the project viz team had in stock, they're the same on the Coopers Plains video.

[ozbob]

Beams Road rail level crossing flythrough proposed design

Beams Road (Carseldine and Fitzgibbon) rail crossing project – opening scene is an aerial shot of the full project, the camera pans around from looking towards Brisbane Central Business District with the new Beams Road overpass in the middle of the screen. The extent of the project is Balcara Avenue and Beams Road intersection to the west and the intersection of Carselgrove Avenue, Golden Place and Beams Road to the east. It shows the upgraded Carseldine station park 'n' ride facility and Carseldine station including the new access road to Balcara Avenue from the parking facility.

The flythrough then moves west to east along the new overpass, showing the Balcara Avenue and Beams Road intersection, with shared paths on either side of the overpass at ground level. There are also shared paths and dedicated cycle lanes on either side of the overpass. The upgraded Carseldine station park 'n' ride facility is to the left of the screen, and it shows trains moving under the new overpass. It moves to the intersection of Carselgrove Avenue, Golden Place and Beams Road, showing the new left turn lane into Carselgrove Avenue.

The flythrough then moves from east to west on the southern side of the overpass, starting at Carselgrove Avenue, Golden Place and Beams Road intersection and shows the at level shared path and underpass connecting south to north adjacent to the train line. It travels over the train line and shows the at level shared path and underpass on the opposite side of the train line with the Carseldine station park 'n' ride facility and train station to the top left of the screen. There are buses, cars, trucks, pedestrian, and bike rider movements throughout the clip. The video then pans out at the Balcara Avenue and Beams Road intersection.

The next clip moves from the Balcara Avenue and Beams Road intersection over the Clock Corner Shops into the Carseldine station park 'n' ride facility, across to the train station and then moves towards the new overpass, highlighting the new bicycle locker and racks, travelling along the bus lane adjacent to the overpass looking towards Carseldine and the Clock Corner Shops.

The flythrough cuts to the bus stops and kiss 'n' ride facility inside the Carseldine station park 'n' ride, showing active transport users, pedestrians and commuters sharing the pathways. As it follows a bus around the outside of the park 'n' ride facility, you can see the bicycle lockers and the 'end of trip' bus driver facility near the Clock Corner Shops.
The camera then pans across the new Carseldine station park 'n' ride facility with the overpass to the top left of the screen, showing the new access road from the carpark onto Balcara Avenue, following a bus back towards the intersection of Balcara Avenue and Beams Road.

The flythrough moves to a close-up of the shared path on the new overpass, panning out to show the cycle lane and car movements with train lines underneath moving outwards and upwards to include the Carseldine station park 'n' ride facility and the at level shared path and underpass.

Final view is an aerial, looking towards Bracken Ridge with the Balcara Avenue and Beams Road intersection to the left of the screen. Closing screen shows the project name 'Beams Road (Carseldine and Fitzgibbon), rail level crossing project', and encourages the audience to find out more information by searching online and depicts the Australian and Queensland government logos.

[Jonno]

Nothing says transit oriented like a road over pass and park n ride!! What an utter monstrosity!!     

[timh]

Looks like there's plenty of extra space under the bridge for a 4th track or busway or whatever. Good.

Yeah, looks good. Ample room under the road overpass on both sides of the train tracks, could facilitate a fair bit.

[300LA]

Nothing says transit oriented like a road over pass and park n ride!! What an utter monstrosity!!     

Jonno, I'm genuinely intrigued what your proposal would have been?

The way I see it, it has to be road over rail.

I think it would've been much improved by relocating the train station under the Beams Rd overpass for better rail-bus connections. And it still baffles me that higher-density planning adjacent to stations isn't standard practise these days. 

[ozbob]

Linked In Mark Bailey MP

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7033336970072268800-tJSt

[Jonno]

Nothing says transit oriented like a road over pass and park n ride!! What an utter monstrosity!!     

Jonno, I'm genuinely intrigued what your proposal would have been?

The way I see it, it has to be road over rail.

I think it would've been much improved by relocating the train station under the Beams Rd overpass for better rail-bus connections. And it still baffles me that higher-density planning adjacent to stations isn't standard practise these days. 

Zillmere Station is at RL20.  Carseldine Station is RL13. A 7 metre fall....so train has to climb that height anyway. 13m is also the height of the track south of Linkfield Rd overpass which is where you could start the climb to be high enough at Carseldine to have a road underneath (5m requires no height signage I believe).  To rise from 13m to 20m (7m) takes 280m using a 1 in 40 gradient.  There is just under 2km from the Linkfield overpass to the Carseldine station so plenty of room to rise the 7m so as to allow connection between the two sides of the track.  Means the rail line is also not in creek flood zones too.  Sky Rails not going to happen in my life with the current major parties in QLD who are both stuck well and truly in 1970..  We really are a laughing stock of transport and city planning. 

[#Metro]

Hi Jonno, what's the source of your RL figures? QGIS?

[aldonius]

QGIS is the tooling, not the data. Google Maps and QTopo both have contour data though it's usually only a 10m contour. I imagine rail height positions are also in the various QR network information packs, though those are ... tricky ... to hunt down.

[Jonno]

Hi Jonno, what's the source of your RL figures? QGIS?

Brisbane City Plan 2014 online https://cityplan.brisbane.qld.gov.au/eplan/property/0/0/209