Redcliffe Peninsula Line [was MBRL (Petrie to Kippa Ring)]

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT: Moreton Bay Rail Link tenderer's shortlisted to two

The selection process to find the best design and construction team to build the Moreton Bay Rail Link has reached the next stage, with the tenderers shortlisted from four to two.

Letters of offer for this final stage of the competitive tendering process have been sent to Salini Bielby Winslow Joint Venture and Thiess Contractors.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese, Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson and Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland said the two remaining tenderers that have been short-listed to further develop their design and construction solutions for the project are companies with national and international credentials.

"It is essential that whoever is finally chosen to build this important piece of infrastructure project for the south east corner has the best team and the technical capabilities behind them to see this project through to its completion," Mr Albanese said.

"Construction of this long awaited, often promised rail line to the Redcliffe Peninsula is part of an unprecedented Federal investment in public transport nationwide. Indeed, this Labor Government is spending more than all our predecessors since Federation combined."

Mr Emerson said tackling the many design aspects of this large and complex project had been the focus of the four tenderers through the latter part of 2012.

"I commend the four teams who have spent an enormous amount of creative energy and invested their considerable expertise in coming up with solutions for the Moreton Bay Rail Link," he said.

"The two shortlisted teams will now work independently to finalise the key features and layout of the dual track line, bridges and associated road and precinct works.

"Six new rail stations will be built at Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Mango Hill, Mango Hill East, Rothwell and Kippa-Ring.

"The project also includes a train stabling facility at Kippa-Ring."

Mr Sutherland said the Moreton Bay Rail Link was a significant project for one of Australia's fastest growing urban areas.

"This is crucial infrastructure that will serve the region's booming population for decades to come and drive additional investment," he said.

Once agreed, they will work independently to develop their designs to a higher level of detail and plan the best methods for constructing the rail link.

They will submit their tenders including cost proposals in May 2013.

The Moreton Bay Rail Link is a $1.147 billion project which has being jointly funded with the Australian Government providing $742 million, the Queensland Government $300 million and land and the Moreton Bay Regional Council $105 million.

The Queensland Government will also fund cost over runs and services along the completed line.

[ENDS] 4 February 2013

[SurfRail]

Wot no Kinsellas Road?

Mango Hill East would I think be the only rail station on the network with a 3-word name?

[HappyTrainGuy]

Same station. New name. I remember reading something in the local paper about it late last/early this year.

[colinw]

Mango Hill East is clumsy. Need something that rolls of the tongue, how about Boganville?

I must confess a level of disbelief that a station is to be provided at Kinsella's Road while Ellen Grove remains unbuilt.

More importantly, is Kippa-Ring going to have strategically placed dunnies at the end of the line to stop runaways?

[Golliwog]

Mango Hill East is clumsy. Need something that rolls of the tongue, how about Boganville?

I must confess a level of disbelief that a station is to be provided at Kinsella's Road while Ellen Grove remains unbuilt.

More importantly, is Kippa-Ring going to have strategically placed dunnies at the end of the line to stop runaways?

If the recently rebuilt Ferny Grove station is anything to go by, then yes.

[SurfRail]

I will say again that I'm not understanding all the dock platform hatred.  Name a terminal station in Perth that doesn't have one or all of its platforms with a buffer stop, other than Clarkson.

Is it just the fact there is a building in the way?  Thornlie and Mandurah are set up with side platforms and no important structure in front of the buffer, although Midland, Fremantle, Perth and Armadale all have obstructions.  Clarkson is the only terminus without them because it isn't the physical end of the line even when it was built.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Same here surfrail. It might prevent the line from extending any futher but in the case of Kippa Ring it would be a very long time and a very expensive option to progress any futher. There is a safety risk in having the station building there but if there are proper procedures in place there shouldn't be any major issues besides total brake failure and in anycase would be minimal due to the restrictions place ie must be going 20kph ~150m out from the station or the driver being unresponsive (signaling upgrades would minimise that risk). During the stages of the Gold Coast line construction and for a very long time Robina simply had about 50-60m of extra track past the station before running up a steep bank to the road way. Plenty of stations in Europe have a dock terminus and quite frankly I'm more concerned about other risks than a train going into the buffers at a terminus with a dock platform.

[ozbob]

But .....  Cleveland happened, and it was extremely fortunate there was not serious injury or fatalities .. be a different story today if there was ...

Any new terminal station needs proper protection.  Train arrestor, and a clear area behind.  Not rocket science ... 

[HappyTrainGuy]

And so do shunting incidents and SPADs.

[ozbob]

@RTT the tie off pole at BNE domestic is dead centre



Photograph R Dow 6 June 2012.

You guys are missing the point, there are heaps of terminal stations, some of the major bings have been at terminal stations, but most have some form of control to help avoid.   It might be speed restrictions through to full ATP. 

Cleveland is a problem because a train arrestor cannot be given sufficient track.  The platforms would need extending at the other end.

Kippa Ring needs to be built with safety considered, and I am sure it will be as for Ferny Grove.   That is train arrestor, sufficient track length for the arrestor to do its thing as needed, and power off to the side.

[HappyTrainGuy]

I don't disagree with that and I'm pretty sure I've even mentioned the type of buffer conflicts before. Here we have speed restrictions. IIRC its something like 175m prior to the station the train must be doing 20kph. Shorncliffe has extra track with a buffer at the end yet it still has to crawl across the level crossing. If anything goes wrong during the initial breaking phase to get to the first 20kph full emergency application is easily available. It can still be a proper dock like Cleveland but on the platform face a fence can be errected along the remaining part of the platform which can be seen here and at many overseas stations. What many European stations have is that its built into the surface face behind it. Someone posted a photo of a dock terminus with yellow lines behind it and the buffer against it. If a train overruns into the buffer the surface behind the buffer crumples aswell adding extra absorbation. Some are easy to point out because there are groves/spaces/shaped patterns on the floors behind them. I've got a photo of one in its construction phase so I'll try to post an example. Over runs are rare, there could be spacing issues and there can be cost issues.

[Gazza]

Just have the building to the side, like Mandurah or Thornlie station, with only a walkway at the end of the track. Problem solved.

[BrizCommuter]

I will say again that I'm not understanding all the dock platform hatred.  Name a terminal station in Perth that doesn't have one or all of its platforms with a buffer stop, other than Clarkson.

Is it just the fact there is a building in the way?  Thornlie and Mandurah are set up with side platforms and no important structure in front of the buffer, although Midland, Fremantle, Perth and Armadale all have obstructions.  Clarkson is the only terminus without them because it isn't the physical end of the line even when it was built.

Its the building in the way which is the issue. This is banned in the UK for new construction, although dead end platforms (with a concourse beyond end of tracks) are allowed.

ATP should be essential at dead end termini, as well as train arrestors and sufficient overruns for the latter to work effectively.

[The Reaper]

No terminus station should comprise side platforms. For reasons of efficiency they should always be island platforms:

• It ensures that all passengers are on the right platform, regardless of which platform a train pulls into/departs from. This is inherently safe because it avoids the possibility of passengers running to change platforms.
• It minimises the amount of vertical transportation required - none in the case of an at-grade station like Ferny Grove, or one set in the case of an elevated station like Springfield Central. This reduces capex, opex through maintenance, and also inherently safer as it removes the possibility of passengers falling down stairs or escalators.

The design of Kippa-Ring will hopefully be an exact replication of Ferny Grove station. The only exception should be the lesson that we've all learned recently - don't place buildings hard up against the end of the track. Otherwise, the design is effectively perfect.

Also, hi! Long time listener, first time caller 

[Golliwog]

Welcome Reaper. I agree with what you're saying.

And for clarity from earlier, I don't have a problem with dock style platforms, it's with putting buildings hard up against the end of the tracks where if a train does over run (however unlikely it is) these are the first things to get damaged.

[ozbob]

No terminus station should comprise side platforms. For reasons of efficiency they should always be island platforms:

• It ensures that all passengers are on the right platform, regardless of which platform a train pulls into/departs from. This is inherently safe because it avoids the possibility of passengers running to change platforms.
• It minimises the amount of vertical transportation required - none in the case of an at-grade station like Ferny Grove, or one set in the case of an elevated station like Springfield Central. This reduces capex, opex through maintenance, and also inherently safer as it removes the possibility of passengers falling down stairs or escalators.

The design of Kippa-Ring will hopefully be an exact replication of Ferny Grove station. The only exception should be the lesson that we've all learned recently - don't place buildings hard up against the end of the track. Otherwise, the design is effectively perfect.

Also, hi! Long time listener, first time caller 

Welcome aboard The Reaper!  Yes indeed, some lessons there for sure.

[ozbob]

I will say again that I'm not understanding all the dock platform hatred.  Name a terminal station in Perth that doesn't have one or all of its platforms with a buffer stop, other than Clarkson.

Is it just the fact there is a building in the way?  Thornlie and Mandurah are set up with side platforms and no important structure in front of the buffer, although Midland, Fremantle, Perth and Armadale all have obstructions.  Clarkson is the only terminus without them because it isn't the physical end of the line even when it was built.

Its the building in the way which is the issue. This is banned in the UK for new construction, although dead end platforms (with a concourse beyond end of tracks) are allowed.

ATP should be essential at dead end termini, as well as train arrestors and sufficient overruns for the latter to work effectively.

[SurfRail]

ATP should be network wide and should have been running 10 years ago.

[ozbob]

From Couriermail Quest click here!

Milestone for $1.1 billion Moreton Bay Rail Link as Kinsellas Road bridge is opened to traffic

Milestone for $1.1 billion Moreton Bay Rail Link as Kinsellas Road bridge is opened to traffic

    by: Jamie-Leigh Mason, Northern Times
    From: Quest Newspapers
    April 04, 2013 11:15AM

The $1.1 billion Moreton Bay Rail Link has reached its first milestone with the Kinsellas Road East Bridge officially opened to traffic today.

The 8m high bridge over the future rail line connects Anzac Ave and Kinsellas Rd East. Line-marking and landscaping will continue until May.

A spokesman for the Moreton Bay Rail Link Project said the rest of the project was on track.

``The Kinsellas Road East project is the first package of construction works for the Moreton Bay Rail Link, which is set to transform the region, providing a dedicated public transport link for one of the fastest growing areas in the country,'' the spokesman said.

``Rail line construction work will start later this year, with the new rail link scheduled for delivery by late 2016.''

The two companies currently applying for the tender to design and construct the rail line and stations need to submit their applications in May, with the tender to be awarded on August 1.

BRIDGE FACTS

Traffic turning left from Mango Hill Blvd going north will be directed to the new Kinsellas Rd East alignment and new bridge. The old road between Mango Hill Blvd and Anzac Ave will be closed.

Vehicles turning from Anzac Ave will be directed to the new Kinsellas Rd East alignment and new bridge.

There is a new roundabout at the Kinsellas Rd East and Mango Hill Blvd intersection

There is a new Kinsellas Rd East connection with Anzac Ave

The project includes on-road cycle lanes and an off-road, shared pedestrian and cycle pathway.

[SteelPan]

GREAT stuff 

One cynical point - sadly - not aimed at anyone now involved in the project, but regards the comment

"...the Moreton Bay Rail Link, which is set to transform the region, providing a dedicated public transport link for one of the fastest growing areas in the country"

makes you wonder why the pollies, of all political colours, stuffed around for so-so many years....

[colinw]

makes you wonder why the pollies, of all political colours, stuffed around for so-so many years....

Because there was electoral gain in doing so, and its a whole lot cheaper & easier to promise to study something than to actually do it.

Even the final approval & funding to build the thing occurred for tawdry political reasons, not because it is the right thing to do.

[HappyTrainGuy]

makes you wonder why the pollies, of all political colours, stuffed around for so-so many years....

Because there was electoral gain in doing so, and its a whole lot cheaper & easier to promise to study something than to actually do it.

Even the final approval & funding to build the thing occurred for tawdry political reasons, not because it is the right thing to do.

Its a combo of pretty much everything. Money has and still continues to be a huge issue. It wasn't just a simple extension but other projects had to be considered around it like the NWTC/CAMOS (for future running paths and alignments to the north and south into Petrie) and a few non public projects and road modifications but mainly the now public NGR and Lawnton to Petrie duplication projects. Last I heard the project has almost been finalised in terms of connecting the spur to the SCL. A few years ago local access to the line had been an issue around the North Lakes area as well (in terms of connecting roads such as the North and South East Arterial road and said bus routes - that arterial road still hasn't been built all the way through yet with only the ends completed resulting in rat running) which would have changed the walk up patronage, feeder usage and park and ride/drop off options. Its been well overdue though haha.

[Gazza]

Does anyone know why Mandurah has side platforms? Long term southern extension option or something?
I found it annoying because if you are at the back of the set you have to walk around in a big U shape, around the front of the train to reach the exit.

[mufreight]

Does anyone know why Mandurah has side platforms? Long term southern extension option or something?
I found it annoying because if you are at the back of the set you have to walk around in a big U shape, around the front of the train to reach the exit.

Provision for a future extension, the locals being aware of the platform layout travel in the front of the train.

[Gazza]

^At the very least, I would have provided a continuous covered walkway along the entire platform, without the pointless little break in it:

http://goo.gl/maps/n8bEO

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robyn Ironside ‏@ironsider 11m

Thiess win contract to build Moreton Bay Rail Link. Qld Rail wasn't allowed to bid. #qldpol http://t.co/nsDhn2DDlx

[ozbob]

Twitter

Scott Emerson ‏@scottemersonmp 10m

Just announced Thiess as successful bidder for $1.15b Moreton Bay Rail project. Work to start early 2014. http://t.co/z0ISXn6msh

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Moreton Bay Rail Link one step closer - JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT

One of south-east Queensland's largest infrastructure projects is a step closer with the Moreton Bay Rail Link design and construction contract awarded to Thiess Contractors.

Federal Member for Petrie Yvette D'Ath, Queensland Transport and Roads Minister Scott Emerson and Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland welcomed the announcement and said the construction phase would bring jobs and growth to the region.

"More than 8,000 jobs will be created during the life of this project, which will drive sustainable development in one of Australia's fastest growing urban areas," Mrs D'Ath said.

"The 12.6 kilometre Moreton Bay Rail Link will connect the Redcliffe Peninsula to Petrie via six new stations at Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Mango Hill, Mango Hill East (near Kinsellas Road East), Rothwell and Kippa-Ring."

Mr Emerson said major construction was expected to start in early 2014.

"I give full credit to both Thiess Contractors and the Salini Winslow Bielby joint venture, the shortlisted tenderers, for investing so much time and creative expertise in coming up with solutions for the Moreton Bay Rail Link," Mr Emerson said.

Mayor Sutherland said the contract award followed delivery of the already completed Kinsellas Road East Bridge.

"More than 100 years after it was first proposed the awarding of the construction contract demonstrates the Moreton Bay Rail Link is on its way and is undoubtedly the single biggest infrastructure investment in this region for a generation," Mayor Sutherland said.

The $1.147 billion required for the project is being provided jointly by the Federal Government ($742 million), Queensland Government ($300 million plus land) and Moreton Bay Regional Council ($105 million).

Thursday, 1 August 2013

[ozbob]

Urban rail Tony ....

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Thiess scores $1.1 billion contract for Petrie to Redcliffe rail link, to open in 2016

[Gazza]

"Mango Hill East" station...Yay, no longer being called Kinsellas Rd.

[ozbob]

[Old Northern Road]

You have to laugh at the tiny little bus stop several 100 meters away from station entrance. Definitely a massive step backwards from Richlands, Springfield and Varsity Lakes.

[red dragin]

If Theiss is getting $650 million to design and build, where is the rest of the $1.1 billion going?

[HappyTrainGuy]

Land acquisition/property resumptions, the already constructed overpass, other overpasses along with Trackstars and other contractors shares.

[#Metro]

If Theiss is getting $650 million to design and build, where is the rest of the $1.1 billion going?

Segway Parking 

[Gazza]

^Herpaderp

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Moreton Bay Rail Link expected to cut congestion by 600 cars for every full train

[ozbob]

Media release 2nd August 2013



SEQ: Next station Kippa-Ring ... but ...

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has welcomed the awarding of the construction contract for the Moreton Bay Rail Link (MBRL) (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Smart and sensible cooperation between Moreton Bay Regional Council, the Queensland Government and the Federal Government has allowed this exciting project to proceed."

"Of concern though to all Australians is the Federal Opposition's policy position on urban rail.  They will not fund urban rail but will fund more roads.  This policy is flawed and needs an urgent revision.  Times have moved on and public transport improvements are essential now in all major cities. Urban rail projects with significant Federal funding are progressing in West Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Queensland at present. Roads only will not solve the congestion and transport crisis that looms."

"Congratulations to all levels of Government for progressing this important project.  However it is essential that Cross River Rail proceed forthwith. Peak train capacity on the line north of Brisbane and the run into the CBD has been reached.  Where will the trains from Kippa-Ring run?"

Reference:

1. http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/8/1/moreton-bay-rail-link-one-step-closer--joint-media-statement

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Coles set to anchor new retail development at Mango Hill