Goodna Station

[ozbob]

The new footbridge is progressing well.  Very impressive structure for a footbridge!  The old footbridge was certainly different!

[Jon Bryant]

Must have missed the section in my TOD Design Principles book that covered locating a freeway and 200 metre foot bridges next the transit stop?

[somebody]

Must have missed the section in my TOD Design Principles book that covered locating a freeway and 200 metre foot bridges next the transit stop?

What are you saying here?  That the freeway is too close to the railway station?  That may be, but it's in the spirit of Brisbane town unplanning.

[ozbob]

There has been room left for track amplifications from Darra West through to Goodna with the road works.  At one stage around Gailes it  first appeared that might not be the case.  It is a most remarkable bridge is it not? 

When I first arrived in Queensland the road through Goodna was just a lane either way, the railway line was in place real earlier.  Ipswich road was just progressively widened with the net results we are seeing now. 

[Jon Bryant]

Must have missed the section in my TOD Design Principles book that covered locating a freeway and 200 metre foot bridges next the transit stop?

What are you saying here?  That the freeway is too close to the railway station?  That may be, but it's in the spirit of Brisbane town unplanning.

Was just lamenting the complete lack of understanding of urban design and town planning at all levels of Government.   

[somebody]

Was just lamenting the complete lack of understanding of urban design and town planning at all levels of Government.   

No argument with that one.  At least they have done a little better with Springfield as compared to Logan. (Please don't anyone say that Springfield was still a botch up.)

[Golliwog]

I agree, it is a rather impressive looking bridge. Is all the hoarding around the railings just there to hold the concrete while it dries, or are they there just temporarily until they can put in a new metal barrier? If its all concrete, it would be a great place for a mural.

Maybe this is their new way of preventing problems from bridge strikes? Just make the bridge big enough and strong enough that anything that hits it comes of second best 

[stephenk]

Must have missed the section in my TOD Design Principles book that covered locating a freeway and 200 metre foot bridges next the transit stop?

Is the that the Translink book of TOD design principles that think that's it acceptable to have a TOD next to a station with peak gaps exceeding 20mins (Alderley, cough, cough). Better put in more car parking then!

[somebody]

Must have missed the section in my TOD Design Principles book that covered locating a freeway and 200 metre foot bridges next the transit stop?

Is the that the Translink book of TOD design principles that think that's it acceptable to have a TOD next to a station with peak gaps exceeding 20mins (Alderley, cough, cough). Better put in more car parking then!

At least Alderley has numerous bus services (345, 351, 357, 359, 390).  What about Milton, Park Rd and Woolloongabba, the first two of which have to deal with a poor counter peak train service for people who aren't on the respective lines.  Even people on partner lines would find most of their trains terminate at Roma St.

[Golliwog]

How is the Alderley TOD coming along? And I think the timetable should be able to be tweaked to get rid of those 20mins+ gaps, and when the Ferny Grove to Keperra upgrade is finished (2012, if the project runs as QR plans) then train frequency should only be restricted by the inner city capacity.

[stephenk]

How is the Alderley TOD coming along? And I think the timetable should be able to be tweaked to get rid of those 20mins+ gaps, and when the Ferny Grove to Keperra upgrade is finished (2012, if the project runs as QR plans) then train frequency should only be restricted by the inner city capacity.

It's selling like hot cakes, and has lots of places for mum, dad, 2.4 children, and the pet hamster to park their car.

If the Keperra to Ferny Grove duplication results in a homogenous very frequent all stations peak timetable, then I won't be complaining. However, if QR decide to run some token express services so that people in Ferny Grove can get home a few minutes faster, I'll be a bit cheesed off.

At least Alderley has a decent bus service, unlike the other stations skipped by the expresses on the Ferny Grove Line. Now that the INB has a decent bus service, I often use the 345 and P343, and then walk the rest of the way home as it's faster than having to wait for what seems like an eternity between non-express services.

[Golliwog]

Yeah, I catch the train to and from Ferny Grove, and I've used the expresses from time to time, and yeah theres not much point to them. It saves like 5 minutes tops. I've never really gone "No, I need to catch the blah time service because its an express" I usually just turn up and go, which has ocasionally lead to me being caught out by that 20 minute gap. Still, good to see the TOD is selling well (even if it is providing a lot of parking).

[ozbob]

@ golliwog

Is all the hoarding around the railings just there to hold the concrete while it dries, or are they there just temporarily until they can put in a new metal barrier?

Just safety stuff I would expect as the bridge is built.  I am sure there will be steel mesh as for most of the foot bridges of today's generation.

[ghostryder]

Originally the Highway ran along Brisbane Tce (on the river side of the rail line)between Redbank and Gailes before crossing over the line near the current day Logan Motorway interchange. Goodna Station once had a parking lot on the same side of the line as the current day Highway which appeared in this location in the 1960s, and it once had a small goods yard which as times changed was removed and the land used as a parking lot. The rail line/corridor has oocupied te current location since since the first sod for the ipswich line was turned at Goodna in the 1870s. sorry if a little off topic.

cheers

scott

[ozbob]

Thanks Scott interesting comment,  I arrived in the 1960s and I seem to recall the highway was where it was now, which you have confirmed.

[somebody]

I often use the 345 and P343, and then walk the rest of the way home as it's faster than having to wait for what seems like an eternity between non-express services.

A great suggestion.  I have a friend who doesn't drive and lives at Enoggera; I'll suggest that to him next time I see him.  The 345 is closer than the train and not much further away than the 350/359.

[verbatim9]

@ golliwog

Is all the hoarding around the railings just there to hold the concrete while it dries, or are they there just temporarily until they can put in a new metal barrier?

Just safety stuff I would expect as the bridge is built.  I am sure there will be steel mesh as for most of the foot bridges of today's generation.

Yeah the steel mesh is a good idea I havent noticed it at all here in VIC but its needed as someone had just the other day pushed a besser brick off a footbridge and hit a passenger in a truck as the brick went through the windscreen.

[Golliwog]

Yeah, I saw that. Nasty. Kinda sad that we have to protect ourselves against the idiots in society.

[mufreight]

Unfortunately all this protection against the actions of idiots makes photography from structures such as this overbridge over highways or rail lines almost impossible for transport enthusiasts.

[ozbob]

Had a look around Goodna.  The footbridge is very impressive ...   

It is odd that Goodna is not on the stations for the latest upgrades.  It needs some work.

























Photographs R Dow 20th November 2010

[ghostryder]

Bob
Goodna Station has been upgraded somewhat from what i recall as a young boy. The current station building has been in place since the mid 1980s after a firebug destroyed the original station and signal cabin. The old timber footbridge gave way to the disabled access setup in the mid late 90s.

scott

[Cam]

The platform at Goodna is too narrow at the western end. When passengers disembark from either of the 2 carriages at the western end, they must cross the yellow line to get around the lift building - unless they walk side on with their back brushing the wall. Then, depending on your shoe size, your toes may still be over the yellow line.

Imagine the overzealous platform attendant I've seen at Roma Street station standing at the western end of the platform at Goodna. He'd be telling disembarking passengers to get back on the other side of the yellow line when they try to go around the lift building.   

[Stillwater]

It would be interesting to see a timeline and passenger usage at Goodna.  The freeway separates the station from the majority of people that it serves.  Has this affected passenger numbers?  Maybe the footbridge visual impact could be softened with the addition of some public artwork.  If not, the graffitti artists won't be able to control themselves.  Perhaps the local Indigenous community could be asked to prepare some 'totem' designs for the bridge pylons.

[ghostryder]

All
here is an old scanned picture from a Sunshine express or ARHS Bulletin, it shows Goodna's old station building and signal box prior to the fire, and the second image is how the track plan used to be whoch in part might explain why the platform is set like it is. 





Uploaded with ImageShack.us

scott

[ozbob]

Some photographs around Goodna railway station.  Looks like a substation being constructed up side?

No weather protection at the kiss n' ride.















Photographs R Dow 1st April 2011

[Fares_Fair]

That's a lonely green bicycle locker in the bottom photo ...

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

It's a windy and exposed platform and not particularly easy to get to via the overbridge above the highway.  Getting to the bridge entrance on the St Ives Shopping Centre side is a bit of a chore, especially if you have young kids or a pram in tow.

[mufreight]

It's a windy and exposed platform and not particularly easy to get to via the overbridge above the highway.  Getting to the bridge entrance on the St Ives Shopping Centre side is a bit of a chore, especially if you have young kids or a pram in tow.

And three months after the tide went out still the lift has not been fixed which makes things that much worse.  The locals have endured more than two years of roadworks restricting access to the station, a flood and something as simple as fixing the lift to improve access for the elderly, the infirm and those encumbered by a pram and kids is still getting the we will get around to it, mirror mirror the wall, we will look into it, and then do bugger all treatment.  

[Jonno]

Stay tuned for the spin release about how the Government has successfully deliver the Goodna TOD such is their lack of understanding of true TOD principles.

[Stillwater]

Goodna would appear to be in the same category as Nambour, on the Sunshine Coast.  It is a TOD, but not much is happening, despite the plans and promises.

http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/addfiles/documents/projects/council_report.pdf

[somebody]

It's a windy and exposed platform and not particularly easy to get to via the overbridge above the highway.  Getting to the bridge entrance on the St Ives Shopping Centre side is a bit of a chore, especially if you have young kids or a pram in tow.

And three months after the tide went out still the lift has not been fixed which makes things that much worse.  The locals have endured more than two years of roadworks restricting access to the station, a flood and something as simple as fixing the lift to improve access for the elderly, the infirm and those encumbered by a pram and kids is still getting the we will get around to it, mirror mirror the wall, we will look into it, and then do bugger all treatment.  

FWIW, I heard today that Belbowrie village (shops) is still not repaired either.  Although I do agree that access to the infirm needs to be more of a priority than re-opening shops.

[KCSHB]

I have been a regular commuter leaving from Goodna station around 6:30am everyday for the last 2 years. As of late it has become increasingly difficult to park there as the construction crews have taken up most of the parking. on most days the area closest to the stairs is blocked off by the security staff on duty so the construction workers can park at will while the commuters have to park elsewhere or on the street. Luckily for me there is still some parking left however if I come later by 30-45 minutes the car park is full mostly because a majority (approximately 30 spots) of the car parks are roped off and or used up by the construction crew.

Ido understand the need to block off areas close to construction for safety but not for construction crew parking.

I think this is unacceptable to the regular commuters inconvenienced by the construction.

[KCSHB]

Anyone think the monstrosity of a bridge being constructed should have a roof cover over it ... obviously the the not very good architect has built a monument to him/her self with absolutely no regard for ped comfort. A good architect would provide some form of shelter from the elements. this is not a short dash. its a hike even for the fittest.

[Golliwog]

Parking for construction workers does need to be provided though. What would you suggest they do instead? Have the construction workers park through the surrounding streets?

[mufreight]

Parking for the construction workers could have been provided in Leslie Park with a mini bus used from there to get them on site, Trackstar in the course of the Corinda - Darra works used this method from their works depots with only vehicles used for the construction being parked on site and reducing commuter parking.

[KCSHB]

They do have about 10 barricaded for construction workers. Today they had a small excavator parked at the center of 4 bays preventing anyone else parking there. This excavator is usually parked in a barricaded area usuallu. there was no cones around it or construction barricade so they just moved it to stop people parking. also the workers coming early don't park in the reserved area either. Sometimes the security guy sit in a vacant car park on a chair and vawes people away as well.
I am in construction myself and I understand they need to park somewhere but workers parking should have been accomodated by the project (like we have to) if the carpark was closed to the public that is different. the expectation is that at that time there is parking.

[Cam]

Anyone think the monstrosity of a bridge being constructed should have a roof cover over it ... obviously the the not very good architect has built a monument to him/her self with absolutely no regard for ped comfort. A good architect would provide some form of shelter from the elements. this is not a short dash. its a hike even for the fittest.

No roof over the newly constructed pedestrian bridge over the Ipswich Motorway at Redbank either. However, there is protection from large hail.

[somebody]

I don't have a problem with the idea that the construction crew could use the parking as a priority.  If it would be acceptable for them to use a bus shuttle, why not for commuters?

[Gazza]

Anyone think the monstrosity of a bridge being constructed should have a roof cover over it ... obviously the the not very good architect has built a monument to him/her self with absolutely no regard for ped comfort. A good architect would provide some form of shelter from the elements. this is not a short dash. its a hike even for the fittest.

I work in Architecture, and this is an unfair statement.

Architects design what they get briefed to design.....If Qld transport/QR wanted an all weather bridge, then that's what they would've gotten if they had asked. We're not really allowed to vary the scope and do the opposite of what they asked for because it's what we feel like.
By all means, we can suggest how we think it should be done, and what would be better for users, but in the end it's the clients call.

It's not as if QT/QR ring up and ask for a bridge, and it's a lotto wether its wood/steel/covered/uncovered/travlator/a flying fox over the road etc depending on how the architect was feeling that day. Particularly working with Government, they are often pretty prescriptive in what they want.

Obviously, the primary goal of the bridge is to stop stuff being thrown off (Rather than hail protection), and it probably doesn't have a roof because no other freeway footbridge I know of has a roof either. (I mean, if you are walking to the station, the majority of the way would be exposed anyway)

[mufreight]

I don't have a problem with the idea that the construction crew could use the parking as a priority.  If it would be acceptable for them to use a bus shuttle, why not for commuters?

Well if one was provided they might.