Cross River Rail reaches another major milestone

Queensland’s transformational transport infrastructure project – Cross River Rail – has reached a major milestone as it progresses towards completion. 

For the first time in history, Gabba and Brisbane CBD are now connected via underground train tracks that span three kilometres in each direction, running beneath the Brisbane River. The two areas are now linked through the future Albert Street and Woolloongabba stations. 

“Cross River Rail now has rail crossing under the river. 

“This is a huge milestone for the project and for south east Queensland as we continue to make progress on Queensland’s biggest rail project. 

“What we’re seeing here today is the track that will move our growing population, footy fans and future games goers once Cross River Rail is operational,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said. 

There are currently 15 active work sites across the project route, supporting jobs right across the South East. 

The delivery of the sections of track for the twin tunnels involved up to 60 workers alone. These crew members laid around 385 tonnes of rail between the two future stations as well as set up to 9,400 blocks in roughly 2,800 cubic metres of concrete. 

“The work going on beneath the CBD and the river itself to build Brisbane’s new underground is incredible, and I thank all the workers involved for their efforts. 

“As the first set of tracks to be completed, they also represent the start of the significant rail revolution already underway in Queensland, of which Cross River Rail is just the start. 

“These tracks now under the river will help create the capacity in our network and realise the benefit of other investments, including the Beerburrum to Nambour and Kuraby to Beenleigh track upgrades,” Minister Bailey said. 

Crews are now starting work on the mechanical and electrical components across the completed section of tracks while more tracks are being laid throughout the remaining section of tunnels. This work is anticipated to be carried out through next year. 

“It’s full steam ahead as we continue another cracking year of Cross River Rail construction,” Minister Bailey said. 

The Cross River Rail development will deliver a new 10.2-kilometre rail line from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, including 5.9-kilometre twin tunnels under the Brisbane River and CBD. 

This massive transport infrastructure project will also deliver new and upgraded stations that will provide better access to more areas of work, study and recreation. This includes: 

• 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 
• Development of three new Gold Coast stations 

Station precincts at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street, Roma Street and Exhibition will also be significantly revitalised to help transform Brisbane into a world-class city. 

Once completed, Cross River Rail will help remove the bottleneck in the region’s transport network by delivering a second river crossing as well as allowing more trains to run more often and enabling a turn-up-and-go public transport system across the South East through its integration with new roads and bus services. 

Major construction on Cross River Rail is due to be completed in 2024 with train services running in 2025. 

Over its five-year construction phase, the project is estimated to generate an average of 1,500 jobs annually and up to 3,000 jobs at its peak. The project is also expected to create opportunities for 450 new apprentices and trainees. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Infrastructure Magazine; Cross River Rail (1, 2)