Darra to Springfield Stage 1 construction Darra to Richlands

[ozbob]

Update at Richlands.

From the Progress Road bridge.  The new bridge is taking shape.  The shelf is where the railway will be up against.










Up the other end near Garden Road











Photographs R Dow 8th March 2009

[ozbob]

Darra West, works for the double branch line to Richlands proceeding.









Photographs mufreight 8th May 2009

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
14/05/2009

Plans for new Richlands station unveiled

Member for Inala Annastacia Palaszczuk today unveiled cutting edge plans for the $40 million Richlands train station on behalf of Transport Minister Rachel Nolan.

Ms Palaszczuk commended the key environmental features proposed in its design and said the station set a benchmark for rail infrastructure design in south east Queensland.

"The new station will combine practical and effective transport options with cutting edge, sustainable design, including water-saving features such as a 120,000 litre underground rainwater tank," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"The design also features energy efficient lighting and native, drought-tolerant trees and plants, including species selected by the community during public consultation.

"As part of our Q2 Green targets, the Bligh Government will continue to support projects which incorporated innovative, environmentally friendly elements into their overall project designs.

"Work on the station precinct is already underway and on track for completion in line with the rest of the project in 2011.

"Other features include 84 bicycle lockers, 15 bicycle rack spaces, a bus interchange with four bus stops, more than 600 car park spaces, 15 kiss 'n' ride bays and three taxi set down bays.

"By incorporating multiple transport services into the station design, we are encouraging commuters to travel to Richlands by car, bus, bike or foot, increasing and improving links between western corridor suburbs and the CBD," she said.

Minister Nolan said the station was part of the $800 million Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor Project (Stage 1), which involved building a railway line from Darra to the new station at Richlands and duplicating the Centenary Highway north of the Logan Motorway.

Ms Nolan said aspects of the station design, and other key project features, can now be viewed at the project Visitor Centre, located on the corner of Garden and Progress Roads, Richlands.

"Displays and audio visual materials are available in the centre including a virtual tour of the project and two 3D models," she said.

"The project team have designed two detailed models which provide a realistic impression of how the completed project will look. The model of Richlands station shows a great amount of detail in and around the station precinct, and the other model shows the entire Stage 1 project corridor," Ms Nolan said.

"Another fantastic audio visual tool in the centre is the virtual tour of the project which gives visitors the opportunity to sit at a computer and 'fly through' the Stage 1 area."

Minister Nolan said the Darra to Springfield project delivered major benefits to the local economy with approximately 6,000 jobs, both direct and indirect, created during Stage 1.

The Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor Project is part of the Queensland Government's $107 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2008-2026, which will help maintain quality of life for the region.

Stage 1 of the project is due for completion in 2011 at an estimated cost of approximately $800 million.

The project is being delivered by The Horizon Alliance - a collaboration between QR (Queensland Rail), the Department of Main Roads, John Holland Pty Ltd, GHD Pty Ltd and Kellogg Brown & Root Pty Ltd (KBR).

==============================================================

[ozbob]

Went and a had look at the Richlands project.  A lot happening, road bridges nearly complete.  Early works for road and rail formations.  It is a large construction site.



Photograph R Dow 16th May 2009

[ozbob]

This is a indicative illustration of Richlands railway station, which is from the Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor Project State 1 Report Issue 5 May 2009

It clearly shows an island platform.  I have asked for confirmation that the platform will be island which is more efficient.

[O_128]

yes island platforms are much more efficient and allow for more flexibility such as if the train must use the other track.

[mufreight]

Well dealing with Horizon Alliance is a far cry from obtaining information from Trackstar, unfortunately a cry from many miles further back,
Asking a simple question that should be able to be answered straight off by the community relations officer taking over 24 hours to get a response does not bode well if that is indicative of the standards of managewment of the project, but then perhaps the standards of community interaction set by the committed staff at Trackstar on the Corinda Darra project have created an unrealistic expectation of staff that it would seem are less committed and posibly less competent, a situation that one would hope will change quite considerably over time.

[ozbob]

I have received advice from Horizon Alliance that platform is island.

[ozbob]

Some updates at Darra West.  Embankments and structures for the double line taking shape.











Photographs mufreight 25th May 2009

[ozbob]

Some more updates at Darra West  (formation for the Richlands branch)











Photographs mufreight 25th June 2009

[ozbob]

Darra West - Rail bridge and flyovers taking shape ..









Photographs R Dow 19th July 2009

[ozbob]

More updates at Darra West.  This is going to be a spectacular rail formation, up and over the Ipswich Highway!











Photographs R Dow 9th August 2009

[ozbob]

Richlands update.  Massive construction site.

Some photographs from the recently opened Garden Road over bridge overlooking the general station area.







Up at Progress Road end







Photographs R Dow 16th August 2009

[ozbob]

Darra West - formations and bridges early works clearly identifiable now ..

















Photographs R Dow 30th August 2009

[ozbob]

Richlands station - early works









Photographs mufreight 6th September 2009

[ozbob]

Rail bridges taking shape!!

This is the bridge that the lines will cross over the Ipswich Highway





Bridge crossing Warrender St Darra West







Photographs R Dow 11th October 2009

[ozbob]

Richlands, slow and steady progress.











Photographs mufreight 25th October 2009

[O_128]

this is taking forever is there anychance of it opening next year?

[ozbob]

Big project, on track.

[ozbob]

A lot happening at Richlands.









Photographs mufreight 28th October 2009

[ozbob]

These photographs show the right of way of the branch line from Darra West rising and crossing the highway ...













Photographs mufreight 7th November 2009

[ozbob]

Richlands station


Car park building




Station building




Platform under construction




Road overbridge over the rail line alignment adjacent to the Garden Road overbridge at the down end of the station area.



Photographs mufreight 10th November 2009

[O_128]

Ozbob when is this due to open. It looks like this could be opening earlier than expected

[paulg]

There are some nice aerial views of the Corinda-Darra and Darra-Richlands projects on Nearmap.com:
http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-27.596087,152.947304&z=17&t=h&nmd=20091111

It's a great new site - they plan to update the imagery on a monthly basis! Try out the "Multiview" button too - 4 different oblique angles.

Cheers, Paul

[ozbob]

Darra West and the line crossing the highway















Photographs R Dow 29th November 2009

Aerial view of the bridge at Warrender Road  as of 11 Nov 2009


http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-27.596087,152.947304&z=17&t=h&nmd=20091111

[ozbob]

Joint Statement:

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan

Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
29/11/2009

Premier inspects Darra-Springfield corridor and announces new Ipswich train service.

Premier Anna Bligh has announced a permanent new Ipswich rail service while inspecting progress on Stage 1 of the $800 million Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor.

Ms Bligh said a temporary 4.42pm weekday train service from Central Station to Redbank, which started in November to offset Coronation Drive roadwork delays, would now be made permanent.

"This service has proven a real winner, carrying 300 to 600 passengers each weekday," she said.

"We've looked at these patronage figures and decided that the State Government will continue the funding from mid December."

The Premier said the new afternoon service was in addition to the three peak morning services introduced by TransLink earlier this year.

"Those additional services already meant an extra daily capacity of 3000 people, or 15,000 people per week on this line," she said.

"That is an indication of the growing popularity of public transport and of the incredible growth in Ipswich and the western corridor"

Ms Bligh made the announcement as sheinspected progress on Stage 1 of the Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor, which is now 60 per cent complete, with Transport Minister Rachel Nolan and Member for Inala, Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Stage 1 of the Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor includes constructing a 4.5-kilometre passenger railway line from Darra to a new station at Richlands.

The rail and road project also upgrades 4.35 kilometres of the Centenary Highway from two to four lanes from Richlands to meet with the existing Logan Motorway interchange at Carole Park.

The road component is due for completion in 2010 and the rail extension to the new station at Richlands is due to be completed in 2011, at an estimated cost of $800 million.

"This vital project to manage population growth in our region is really starting to take shape - construction on the 650-space car park is complete and the new station at Richlands is coming together quickly," said the Premier.

"Springfield motorists will see more progress this week, with a new two lane on-ramp bridge opening at Progress Road on Monday.

"These two full lanes will reduce queuing on Progress Road and make it safer for motorists to merge with the Centenary Highway."

Ms Bligh said that once complete in 2011 the project will be a vital component in the Government's plans for growth in the booming western corridor.

"It means that rail commuters will be able to drive to the brand new station at Richlands, removing the need to drive the extra six kilometres to Darra station," she said.

"That takes hundreds of cars off a busy road and improves congestion for road commuters."

Minister Nolan said the integrated road and rail project was the first of its kind and would become an integral piece of local infrastructure.

"The coordinated approach to upgrading the Centenary Highway from two to four lanes and building the Richlands railway station has minimised the disruption caused by construction activities," she said.

"The improved road and public transport infrastructure will assist in managing the rapid growth in the western corridor," she said.

State Member for Inala and Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs Annastacia Palaszczuksaid she looked forward to the benefits the project would bring to the local community.

"This is a win for Inala, Richlands, Forest Lake and Carole Park residents and families," she said.

"The Richlands railway station will have 650 car spaces as well as undercover, secure storage for at least 80 bicycles and a four-bay bus interchange.

"It will also have three taxi set-down bays, and a 15-bay kiss 'n' ride area for people to drop off and collect passengers.

"The local community has been involved in the design of the artwork for the project, which reflects the area's multicultural identity.

"That's project is a further sign that the Bligh Government is delivering for residents of Southeast Queensland's fastest growing area."

The project is being delivered by The Horizon Alliance - a collaboration between QR Network Pty Ltd, the Department of Transport and Main Roads, John Holland Pty Ltd, GHD Pty Ltd and Kellogg Brown & Root Pty Ltd.

For more information on the project, please call 1800 887 464 (freecall), email info@horizon.incite.com.au or visit www.qr.com.au/seqip


==============================================================

[Derwan]

"This service has proven a real winner, carrying 300 to 600 passengers each weekday," she said.

"We've looked at these patronage figures and decided that the State Government will continue the funding from mid December."

It's almost as though they're surprised!   

[stephenk]

"The Richlands railway station will have 650 car spaces as well as undercover, secure storage for at least 80 bicycles and a four-bay bus interchange.

"It will also have three taxi set-down bays, and a 15-bay kiss 'n' ride area for people to drop off and collect passengers.

Will 650 car spaces be enough?
Will there be frequent enough feeder buses to make using the bus to get to the station attractive?

[mufreight]

The Richlands car parking facility could be brought into use prior to the opening of the rail link with an express bus service via Centenary Highway, Indoorpilly bus interchange and Toowong station for pasengers for the Uni then into the CBD and a shuttle bus from Richlands to Darra railway station, these services would have an immediate effect on relieving the present commuter parking problems at Wacol, Darra and Oxley and would have a number of commuters who having found the park and ride at Richlands convenient would then use the train when it came on line.

[ozbob]

Some updates of Richlands railway station ...













Photographs R Dow 13th December 2009

[ozbob]

Some more updates around Richlands

Station










Boundary Road




Garden Road




Darra West - the rail bridge over the Ipswich Highway



Photographs mufreight 21st December 2009

[ozbob]

Darra West

Supports for the OHT are being fitted to the rail bridge.






Area where the 4th line will come through underneath the Springfield branch




Looking towards Richlands




Centenary Highway overbridge.  Note room for 4 tracks




Looking back towards Darra.  Note the wire is already in position for the third line.



Photographs R Dow 27th December 2009

[ozbob]

Some updates around Richlands

Richlands Station










Garden Road





Photographs mufreight  27th January 2010

[O_128]

Ozbob when is this due for completion?? must be late this year early next at the latest

[ozbob]

The road component is due for completion in 2010 and the rail extension to the new station at Richlands is due to be completed in 2011, at an estimated cost of $800 million.

It would a lot of economic sense to just push on to Springfield!  Bring it on!!  

(see --> here  latest push for funding ... )

[Jon Bryant]

The road component is due for completion in 2010 and the rail extension to the new station at Richlands is due to be completed in 2011, at an estimated cost of $800 million.

It would a lot of economic sense to just push on to Springfield!  Bring it on!!  

(see --> here  latest push for funding ... )

There is a lot of economic, social and environmental sense to be building rail lines all over the region but alas our Governments build more and more useless freeways whilst tinkering at the very edge of our rail system.  

[O_128]

The road component is due for completion in 2010 and the rail extension to the new station at Richlands is due to be completed in 2011, at an estimated cost of $800 million.

It would a lot of economic sense to just push on to Springfield!  Bring it on!!  

(see --> here  latest push for funding ... )

I wouldnt be surprised as when the spur is opened they announce they will keep on going. (election will be coming if its a late 2011 opening lol) Also is the platform carrige height??? and how hard really is them to make sure the whole station is under cover??

[mufreight]

Announcing that construction will continue at the opening/commissioning of Richlands will be a little late as all construction will have ceased, what is needed is a seamless continuing construction program not a stop restart to suit the needs of political expedency

[ozbob]

Media Release 29 January 2010

SEQ:  Richlands next, keep going!

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 called for the construction of the railway line from Darra to Springfield to be done as a priority for a number of years (1,2,3).  Presently the first stage of the railway, Darra to Richlands is being built.  Rather than stop at Richlands push on now to at least Ellen Grove whilst funding for the final sections is secured.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Springfield is a rapid expanding residential and commercial development. The western region has been flagged as high growth.  The proper provision of public transport is essential to avoid the propagation of more transport poor urban regions."

"RAIL Back On Track members have suggested that it would be much more cost effective to utilise the present construction teams and keep pushing on to Springfield.  At a minimum continue construction to Ellen Grove whilst further funding is sought.  It costs a lot of money to disperse and then re-establish construction teams."

"Novel funding options should also be considered. For example part public investment from individuals and superannuation funds could be a smart way of raising capital (3).

"It is also essential that the stations at Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes (and Springfield) are built from the outset and the line be double track all the way from Richlands to Springfield."

References:

1.  2 Dec 2007: SEQ - Darra to Springfield railway line needed now! http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=321.0

2.   31 Jan 2008: Brisbane: Springfield railway, better late than never! http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=450.0

3.   6 June 2009: SEQ: Richlands to Springfield railway line needed now! http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2364.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Some recent photographs at Richlands.



























1        Station building from car park, steps to undercover parking in right foreground.

2        Service Rd looking towards bus set down

3        View of station concourse from station entrance

4        Service road looking from station entrance towards Progress Rd.

5        View towards Progress Rd

6        As for 5

7        Platforms showing lift shaft and access steps

8        As in 7

9        As in 5

10   As in 7

11   Rail side of station building

12   View towards Gardner Rd

13   as in 12

Photographs mufreight 22nd February 2010.  Thanks to Horizon Alliance for permission for these photographs.