A suburban rail line proposed a century ago looks like becoming reality as the builder is announced
August 5, 2013
A suburban rail line on Brisbane’s northern outskirts proposed a century ago, and long held as a great idea that would never be realised, now looks certain to be built with the awarding of Thiess Contractors as the railway’s builder.
The Moreton Bail Rail Link will branch from Petrie to Redcliffe covering an area serviced by leading TransLink contactors Hornibrook Buslines, Thompson Bus Services and Kangaroo Bus Lines.
The project will be one of Queensland’s largest, providing 8,000 jobs during its construction which will start early in 2014.
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.
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland says 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,” says Sutherland.
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).