Construction on Cross River Rail continues to progress, creating jobs

The transformational Cross River Rail project in Queensland continues to progress towards completion as it reaches a new construction milestone. 

Workers continue to carry out tunnel fit-out deep under Brisbane as part of the next phase of critical works on the twin tunnels. Approximately 180 workers are installing emergency walkways, pipes as well as hundreds of cabling of various kinds that will help ensure the safe and reliable operation of trains in the tunnels. 

“With the tracks laid and the mechanical and electrical fit out of Cross Rover Rail’s tunnels well underway, this transformational project is really coming to life. 

“While some people might not realise it’s even happening beneath their feet, the important work currently underway in the tunnels will ensure trains can operate reliably and safely. 

“Building a new underground rail line is no simple task, and the efforts underway to bring all these complex systems together is a credit to the hundreds of workers involved,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said. 

To date, works are underway on around 40 per cent of the 10 kilometres of emergency walkways and about 12 kilometres of pipes are already installed. 

Up to 18 kilometres of feeder cables have also been installed and this will provide communications coverage through the tunnels including mobile phone reception and train signalling equipment. 

Further, hundreds of kilometres of electrical and high-speed fibre optic cables will be installed to allow equipment in the tunnels to be operated and installed remotely. 

Works are also progressing on the 16 cross passages that link the twin tunnel, which features lights, speakers, cameras, smoke detectors and emergency phones. These cross passages connect Cross River Rail’s parallel train tunnels every 240 metres and these are vital safety features that enable people to move from one tunnel to the other during unlikely emergency situations. 

As works move closer to completion on the walkways and cable installations, focus will shift to the installation of the overhead electrical system that will power the trains as they run through the tunnels. 

The majority of tunnel fit-out works are due to be completed in early 2024 and will be followed by extensive testing and commissioning. 

“It’s always incredible to see just how much progress is being made, and you can really start to get a sense of what Cross River Rail will look like once complete. 

“It’s exciting to think that these tunnels will soon make it easier to get around on our rail network, including to our four new underground stations and the year-round station being built at Exhibition,” Minister Bailey said. 

In addition to the progress on tunnel fit-out, CPB Contractors – one of the builders delivering Cross River Rail – has announced the launch of an industry-first electrical trade assistant program that will make construction skills and career paths more accessible. 

This training program will combine real-life work experience and nationally recognised training, to be run in partnership with Construction Skills Queensland and Electro Group. 

The eight-day course will allow participants to participate in class-based learning as well as simulated work experience and closing out their training with the opportunity to secure work on the Cross River Rail project. 

All graduates of the program’s first cohort have secured roles on the massive transport infrastructure project. 

“CPB Contractors is proud to deliver this program to help make careers in construction more accessible and build capacity across our industry. 

“We’ve already welcomed 10 new electrical trade assistants to our tunnel fit-out teams,” Cross River Rail Tunnel & Stations Project Director Andrew Large said. 

Cross River Rail is delivering a 10.2-kilometre rail line that will relieve the bottleneck at the heart of the rail network, transforming the way people travel across South East Queensland. 

The project includes a 5.9-kilometre twin tunnels that run under the Brisbane River and CBD along with new and upgraded stations including: 

• Four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street 
• Two upgraded stations at Dutton Park and Exhibition 
• Six upgraded stations from Salisbury to Fairfield on Brisbane’s Southside 
• Three new Gold Coast Stations 

Major construction on Cross River Rail commenced in 2019 and it is expected to be operational in 2026. 

During its 5-year construction phase, Cross River Rail is estimated to create an average of 1,500 jobs annually and about 3,000 jobs at its peak, including up to 450 new apprentice and traineeship opportunities. 

Cross River Rail is being built in partnership with the private sector through three major work packages: 

• The Tunnel, Stations and Development (TSD) Public Private Partnership with the PULSE consortium – comprised of CIMIC Group companies Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors and UGL with international partners DIF, BAM and Ghella 
• The Rail, Integration and Systems (RIS) Alliance with UNITY Alliance – comprised of CPB Contractors, UGL, AECOM and Jacobs with partners HASSELL, RCS Australia, Acmena, Martinus Rail and Wired Overhead Solutions 
• The European Train Control System (ETCS) delivered by Hitachi Rail 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Cross River Rail (1, 2, 3); CPB Contractors; Infrastructure Magazine