It’s been a long time coming, but the dawn of reality is about to sink in as survey work on the Moreton Bay rail link starts next month
September 16, 2010
Survey work on the $1.15 billion Moreton Bay Rail Link – a key plank in the Gillard Government’s election campaign – starts next month, Queensland Transport Minister Rachel Nolan announced to state parliament today.
Nolan says the project team for the rail link was now mobilised and from the last week in October workers will be ‘on the ground’ carrying out preliminary survey work.
“After decades of promises and planning, the Bligh government has worked with the Gillard government and the Moreton Bay Regional Council to make the Moreton Bay rail link reality,” says Nolan.
“Last week I discussed it with the Mayor of Moreton Bay, and next week I will meet with the Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister (Anthony Albanese), and this project will be top of my agenda.”
Nolan says Moreton Bay was one of the fastest growing regions in Australia with a population set to increase by over 40 per cent in the next 20 years.
“More than half the region’s population currently leaves the area every day and 87 percent use a private vehicle for their journey,” she says.
“Preliminary modelling indicates that in 2016, when the Moreton Bay Rail Link opens, it will be used for over 20,000 trips per day.”
Nolan says the rail link will take pressure off major arterial routes to Brisbane’s north, including Anzac Avenue, Gympie Road and the Bruce Highway.
“In November we will begin community consultation with a series of open days along the corridor,” she says.
“We want to know the community’s views on the project.”
The construction start date is 2012 with the first trains operating in 2016.