It was on the news tonight.
Will here more about it tomorrow.

Basically, Beattie wants to spend $2b (if it is a tunnel) on building a second rail river crossing in Brisbane.

What do you think?

Where abouts would this rail crossing be? Would it be near to the existing Merivale Bridge or further up towards the eastern side of the CBD with new city stations?

They didn't release any details like that.

Other than it would be 2 billion for a tunnel, or 1 billion for a bridge.
Go figure out a location which fits that description. It's needed because the merivale bridge will reach capacity in less than a decade.

My bet would be on it following the NSBT alignment from Park Rd to Fortitude Valley with three new stations along the route. Once BCC have finished with the tunnel machines, the State can use them again for this rail tunnel.

Where abouts would this rail crossing be? Would it be near to the existing Merivale Bridge or further up towards the eastern side of the CBD with new city stations?

sounds good, i would support the idea if i was living in brisbane. Perth is spending 1.5, and people are complaining, they just don't see the merit of it, and this one will be the same, a great idea for an Australian city.

Yes they said something on the news about it just then. Something about several new underground city stations!!!!

jt

Yes they said something on the news about it just then. Something about several new underground city stations!!!!

jt

Thats right :D


It's times like these you gotta like Premier Pete.

I saw that on an update earlier.


Another addition to the PT infrasturcture going on.

Im sure people will stil manage to complain were not spending enought though

I saw that on an update earlier.


Another addition to the PT infrasturcture going on.

Im sure people will stil manage to complain were not spending enought though

No, I think I was the only one :P
Everyone else seems to be content with sitting in traffic 2 hours per day :D :jk:

But hopefully a new station will be included in the Petrie Bight district, because high density living really requires close access to PT, otherwise living in the city is sort of a contradiction. but who cares, they're building new crossings and underground stations!

I'm thinking this probably would be finished around the 2012-2015 mark.

wow points go to Brisbane!

now, can Perth follow up again on their SWMR and the tunnel? :o

Guys - here is a link to the rail page forum - they are just like us except they are railnerds instead of skyscrapernerds:D

If there is any news these guys will have it first!!

http://www.railpage.com.au/f-t11302715.htm

jt

Cheers mate :)

Guys - here is a link to the rail page forum - they are just like us except they are railnerds instead of skyscrapernerds:D

Hey lets register www.brisbaneskyscrapernerds.com.au

Here is some info - from railpage
Premier & Trade
The Hon. Peter Beattie MP
14 April 2005

First Class Berth For City Rail In Infrastructure Plan

Premier Peter Beattie has revealed the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan will include an investigation of a new Brisbane River rail crossing and an expanded inner-city rail system.

Mr Beattie said the project was just a taste of the Infrastructure Plan, to be released on 27 April.

"This $4.5 million investigation could lead to a second rail bridge over the Brisbane River, or a tunnel under the river, plus new stations and tracks," Mr Beattie said.

"It could possibly even lead to a new inner-Brisbane network of tunnels.

"We will need a second rail crossing of the Brisbane River at some future date, to meet demand from the one million extra people who will live in the region in the next 20 years - not to mention the extra tourists and business travellers.

"Estimates suggest the Merivale Bridge and CBD rail tunnels will approach capacity by 2016.

"We are talking about a huge investment of dollars and thousands of jobs for skilled workers.

"A river tunnel alone would cost well over $2 billion, while a bridge would cost well over $1 billion.

"It is imperative that the planning, feasibility and design work are spot-on.

"You could not have a tunnel unless you expanded the inner-city underground rail system."

The investigations will commence in 2006-07 and take an estimated three years.

"The rocketing popularity of the Citytrain network is driving planning for more rail services," Mr Beattie said.

"Last year, through our Smart State Building Fund, the Government announced a $247 million expansion of track and rail services on the Beenleigh-Gold Coast line.

"Add to this $123M for track duplication and extension of the rail line to a new station at Reedy Creek, which the government announced last month.

"Ultimately, many of these extra trains roll into Roma Street across the Merivale Bridge.

"I love this extra demand for rail, because it is a safe and environmentally friendly way to travel, and the more it is used the more we can invest in a world-class service for Queenslanders," Mr Beattie said.

The Merivale Bridge opened on 18 November 1978, to meet the needs of electrification of the Citytrain network which commenced in 1979.

"Back then, locomotives hauled passenger carriages," Mr Beattie said.

"Today about 90,000 passenger services and 3,000 freight services cross the bridge in each direction every year.

"The fact we are talking about another rail crossing 27 years after the Merivale Bridge was opened underlines the government's determination to plan smartly for the escalating popularity of South-East Queensland."

14 April 2005

Media contact: 3224 4500


http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/cgi-bin/display-statement.pl?id=6230&db=media

jt

Guys - here is a link to the rail page forum - they are just like us except they are railnerds instead of skyscrapernerds:D

If there is any news these guys will have it first!!

http://www.railpage.com.au/f-t11302715.htm

jt

Oh btw, I'm a member of railpage so if there's any info...not to fear...I'll post it here :D

I think I'm gonna give myself the title of "brissy transport info kid dude dipshit'
everyone happy with that?

i like the sound of the tunnel network

great news for Brisbane

There is a proposal I've heard has been floating around in QR evidently as long ago as the 70's. A tunnel with stations at Spring Hill, Central, Queen St Mall, QUT, then under rive to Wooloongabba.

State election coming up soon?

No we had state elections last year so we have a few years to go yet. Announcements like these are making me happy with Pete again, I had started to lose a little confidence last year but am happy with the infrastructure planning recently announced.

As for more rail stations and a rail river crossing, bring it on!!!!

Hopefully services will also reach out to New Farm and St Lucia (Uni)

Yes they said something on the news about it just then. Something about several new underground city stations!!!!

jt


That's awesome! Just one Central station isn't enough for the size of Brisbane CBD. I hope there will be an underground station just below the Vision, called Vision. :)

Channel 10 just had a short report on it,
which included an image of a light rail inner city loop which went Southbank/West end, Gardens Point, Waterfront Place, Up Eagle St, Through Petrie Bight, into the valley , looped back around, again through Petrie Bight, down Adelaide/Queen st, and back across into South Bank.west end


Rough recreation of the map seen on TV.
I believe it went further at the 'ends' in the Valley and West end. I regret missing its exact path there. Danubis said it MAY have gone down to 'James St and The Hospital' in the valley end.
http://img156.echo.cx/img156/7004/lightrailloop9rj.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

lol you bastard malt, i said that to you in confidence *shocked*

This could be good, but it's still a long way off and whether the governments proposals are anything worthwhile is yet to be seen. I pray for underground heavy rail.

This could be good, but it's still a long way off and whether the governments proposals are anything worthwhile is yet to be seen. I pray for underground heavy rail.

true, and just to add on that, we may not see many new stations if they vye for the cheaper(bridge) option, however frequencies would increas which is still a good thing.

And as for this loop, no one's actually said a loop service will be built and to be honest, rail loops (especially in major arteries, such as the CBD) can easily become bottlenecks and turn the system into chaos if not managed effectively (part of Cityrail's problem)
I'd love more inner city stations and quite frankly, they've really needed (especially at St. Lucia, buses are shocking) but it's not exactly set in stone.

Anyway danubis, why'd you wanna keep that little bit away from the reast of us :P

Channel 10 just had a short report on it,
which included an image of a light rail inner city loop which went Southbank/West end, Gardens Point, Waterfront Place, Up Eagle St, Through Petrie Bight, into the valley , looped back around, again through Petrie Bight, down Adelaide/Queen st, and back across into South Bank.west end


Rough recreation of the map seen on TV.
I believe it went further at the 'ends' in the Valley and West end. I regret missing its exact path there. Danubis said it MAY have gone down to 'James St and The Hospital' in the valley end.
http://img156.echo.cx/img156/7004/lightrailloop9rj.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

how will this help the capacity of the merivale bridge??? It wouldn't

having a think about it more, I would think that the best option would be to run it from Dutton PArk / Park Rd to Wolloongabba and then across the river to QUT/Parliament, and then run it down George St (with another station at the Casino / BCC) and then link into Roma St and Central that way.

The tunnel under George St could be cut & cover which would be cheaper.

^
True but the number of people it could serve would be a fraction of what the hypothetical plan on the news would be. Though Wollongaba is getting denser (1,400 people/km) it is still no where near, and if current height restrications continue it will never be, that of New Farm (5,3000 people/km) or west end (3,600/km). South Brisbane is another area where the density is going to be over 4,000/km within a few years. I think any new system should deal with these people

I'm with orfeo on this, but the only problem I see with this propoasl would be it's interferance with the new 2bn rail link. If it goes ahead, it will give these areas (except the immediate West End area) close access to high frequency heavy rail. I say that a light rail system should be focused on inner city areas where heavy rail is unviable but a bus system is over used(Possibly areas such as St.Lucia)

Do them both !!

^

I think that was the plan. At least what i gathered.

i dont see the point in constructin light rail. brisbane has narrow streets. higher frequency buses will do the same job a tram would do but not be restricted to rails.

i dont see the point in constructin light rail. brisbane has narrow streets. higher frequency buses will do the same job a tram would do but not be restricted to rails.

Personally, I don't mind, I'm for both. But I think the reason light rail comes up so often is that buses are sometimes seen as a poor way to travel and the only alternative to buses though, is light rail so I'd imagine that's why people opt for this.
You bring up a good comment, but I think in areas such as West End where the traffic already moves as fast as trams, I don't think they will be of any real inconvienience.



but anyway, off that topic and onto my pipedream for when the CBD tunnels/new train order is completed :)

Ferny Grove <> Ipswich (30 mins 6 car)
Mitchelton <> Darra (30 mins 3 car)
-15 minute frequency between Mitchelton and Darra.
-Darra could accomodate the Springfield line in the future.
-Regular express trains to Ipswich during peak hour.

Caboolture <> Beenleigh (30 mins 6 car)
Kuraby <> Petrie (30 mins 3 car)
-15 min frequency between Petrie and Kuraby
-Regular express trains to Caboolture during peak hour.
-Petrie can be extended to future Kippa-Ring line (I wish)..

Shorncliffe <> Roma St/Corinda via Southbank (30 mins 3 car)
-30 min frequency between Shorncliffe/Roma Street
-Every 2nd train continues to Tennyson/Corinda.
-Hourly frequency to Tennyson.

Airport <> Roma Street (3-car)
-20 min frequency, 3-car trains Mon-Fri
-30 min frequency, 3-car trains Weekends/Public Hols

Cleveland<> Roma Street via Riverside (30 mins, 3 Car)
Doomben <> Manly via S Bris. (30 mins, 3 car).
-15 min frequency between Manly and Buranda.
-Regular express services to Cleveland via Riverside during peak hours.

Rosewood<>Ipswich/Roma Street via Riverside (Hourly, 4 car ICE)
-Hourly frequency between Rosewood and Ipswich
-Express every 2 hours from Rosewood to Roma Street via Riverside.

Robina<>Roma Street via Riverside. (30 mins, 3/6-Car IMU)
-30 min frequency off peak/15 min frequency peak hour

Gympie N./Nambour <> Roma Street (3/6-Car IMU & ICE for Gympie N. runs)
-Increase off-peak weekday express trains.
-The 4 southbound trains and 3 Northbound trains (Weekday timetable) which are currently scheduled as either shuttles or all-stoppers on the Sunshine Coast line are to be re-scheduled as express trains thus all weekday Nambour trains are express trains.

Good to see some serious money put into Brisbane's public transport network, alongside the huge $$$ being plowed into motorways and road tunnels. I have to say, Brisbane has come a very long way in terms of public transport since the mid '90s. It's hard to believe that only a few years ago, the busways, Citycats, LPG buses etc were non-existent and that rail services on most lines ran half-hourly - even hourly on weekends!

In terms of rail, there are a few things I'd really like to see happen in Brisbane:

1. An inner-city loop. Parts of the CBD are just too far to walk comfortably from Central or Roma St, especially in Brisbane's hot and humid climate.

2. A line between St Lucia - Qld Uni - West End - City - New Farm - Bulimba. Places like West End and New Farm are really crying out for rail. Only so many buses can service these already congested, rapidly growing, areas.

3. A full re-opening of the Pinkenba line. This could be done relatively cheaply and easily as the line is already there. Some local residents would oppose, of course (especially in the blue-ribbon Ascot-Clayfield area) but these home-owners have to understand that they live near a rail line and that there was never a guarantee that it would remain closed / limited. Developing this line to its full potential would help relieve congestion on roads from the north-eastern suburbs into the city (for instance along Kingsford Smith Drive and Ann St, Fortitude Valley) and further develop the scope and amenity of Brisbane's rail network, generally, at a time when road traffic pressures are increasing.

We have an FREE Brisbane Transport Inner City Loop that runs every ten minutes. Although at peak times it should be increased to 5 minute intervals.

Good to see some serious money put into Brisbane's public transport network, alongside the huge $$$ being plowed into motorways and road tunnels. I have to say, Brisbane has come a very long way in terms of public transport since the mid '90s. It's hard to believe that only a few years ago, the busways, Citycats, LPG buses etc were non-existent and that rail services on most lines ran half-hourly - even hourly on weekends!

In terms of rail, there are a few things I'd really like to see happen in Brisbane:

1. An inner-city loop. Parts of the CBD are just too far to walk comfortably from Central or Roma St, especially in Brisbane's hot and humid climate.

2. A line between St Lucia - Qld Uni - West End - City - New Farm - Bulimba. Places like West End and New Farm are really crying out for rail. Only so many buses can service these already congested, rapidly growing, areas.

3. A full re-opening of the Pinkenba line. This could be done relatively cheaply and easily as the line is already there. Some local residents would oppose, of course (especially in the blue-ribbon Ascot-Clayfield area) but these home-owners have to understand that they live near a rail line and that there was never a guarantee that it would remain closed / limited. Developing this line to its full potential would help relieve congestion on roads from the north-eastern suburbs into the city (for instance along Kingsford Smith Drive and Ann St, Fortitude Valley) and further develop the scope and amenity of Brisbane's rail network, generally, at a time when road traffic pressures are increasing.

Don't worry...the inner city loop shouldn't be far off. Once the studies are finished :)
But as for the Pinkenba line, That Far north-eastern area of the city really dosen't have any demand for heavy rail. I mean Pinkenba is essentially a few streets surrounded by a huge amount of undeveloped land (which I think would be perfect for the Olympics ;)) Areas like Nundah, Nudgee etc. which are really the populated areas for the north-east already have rail(albeit not great frequencies...but they do have rail) The Doomben line already has fairly poor patronage during the day. But hey, Once this trade coast thing really kicks in, if industry and commercial keeps growing in that area, possibly it could warrant an re-opening.

I would like to see a spur line off the Doomben line towards the new cruise terminal and Northshore Hamilton project. This will be home to thousands of people in ~5-8yrs time.

Don't worry...the inner city loop shouldn't be far off. Once the studies are finished :)
But as for the Pinkenba line, That Far north-eastern area of the city really dosen't have any demand for heavy rail. I mean Pinkenba is essentially a few streets surrounded by a huge amount of undeveloped land (which I think would be perfect for the Olympics ;)) Areas like Nundah, Nudgee etc. which are really the populated areas for the north-east already have rail(albeit not great frequencies...but they do have rail) The Doomben line already has fairly poor patronage during the day. But hey, Once this trade coast thing really kicks in, if industry and commercial keeps growing in that area, possibly it could warrant an re-opening.

Yes, Pinkenba itself, at the very end of that line, has little demand for heavy rail - I'm talking about the line, not the suburb of Pinkenba alone. Suburbs along that line - Clayfield, Ascot, Doomben etc - are very well-established, well-populated and increasing in density (which, I guess, is why some semblance of a rail service was re-introduced as far as Doomben a few years ago) and I believe they warrant a proper rail service, not the token service they get at the moment. These stations are literally only served by around a dozen or so trains in either direction each day!

The services have fairly poor patronge, as you say, but as someone who lived almost next door to Clayfield station for a couple of years, I can tell you the reason it's so poorly patronised is because the service is so poor! There really is no point bothering with the skeleton rail service when it's so much easier to get a BCC bus! On Sandgate Rd, literally just outside Clayfield station, there is a bus to the city every few minutes - as opposed the train on offer every hour or so through the day. If there was actually a proper service on the line, I think you'd find that patronage would increase dramatically.

Suburbs like Clayfield and Ascot are actually quite major centres and of similar stature to Nundah (and greater than Nudgee). Clayfield is one of the largest and most populous suburbs on Brisbane's northside and contains a bustling retail strip along Sandgate Rd and various schools and services, while Ascot is home to Racecourse Rd, one of Brisbane's premier suburban retail / leisure precincts. Both suburbs have decent population densities, in Brisbane terms, and a proper rail service would be highly appropriate IMO.

Yes, Pinkenba itself, at the very end of that line, has little demand for heavy rail - I'm talking about the line, not the suburb of Pinkenba alone. Suburbs along that line - Clayfield, Ascot, Doomben etc - are very well-established, well-populated and increasing in density (which, I guess, is why some semblance of a rail service was re-introduced as far as Doomben a few years ago) and I believe they warrant a proper rail service, not the token service they get at the moment. These stations are literally only served by around a dozen or so trains in either direction each day!

The services have fairly poor patronge, as you say, but as someone who lived almost next door to Clayfield station for a couple of years, I can tell you the reason it's so poorly patronised is because the service is so poor! There really is no point bothering with the skeleton rail service when it's so much easier to get a BCC bus! On Sandgate Rd, literally just outside Clayfield station, there is a bus to the city every few minutes - as opposed the train on offer every hour or so through the day. If there was actually a proper service on the line, I think you'd find that patronage would increase dramatically.

Suburbs like Clayfield and Ascot are actually quite major centres and of similar stature to Nundah (and greater than Nudgee). Clayfield is one of the largest and most populous suburbs on Brisbane's northside and contains a bustling retail strip along Sandgate Rd and various schools and services, while Ascot is home to Racecourse Rd, one of Brisbane's premier suburban retail / leisure precincts. Both suburbs have decent population densities, in Brisbane terms, and a proper rail service would be highly appropriate IMO.

I agree with you. The only quandry I have is weather the residents of those areas will actually use it or not because as you said, it's already served by buses and I'm guessing not all of Ascot/Clayfield residents want to travel by Public Transport. As BrizzyChris mentioned, opening up the spur off Doomben station out to Hamilton/Portside would probably do alot of good. It could be marketed towards tourists similar to Airtrain, but also be there for the already built up areas that it would cater for. The only infrastructure upgrade to that would need to be electification and maybe sinking the rail (because we can't have a level crossing on Kingsford-Smith drive :P)

Yes, Pinkenba itself, at the very end of that line, has little demand for heavy rail - I'm talking about the line, not the suburb of Pinkenba alone. Suburbs along that line - Clayfield, Ascot, Doomben etc - are very well-established, well-populated and increasing in density (which, I guess, is why some semblance of a rail service was re-introduced as far as Doomben a few years ago) and I believe they warrant a proper rail service, not the token service they get at the moment. These stations are literally only served by around a dozen or so trains in either direction each day!

The services have fairly poor patronge, as you say, but as someone who lived almost next door to Clayfield station for a couple of years, I can tell you the reason it's so poorly patronised is because the service is so poor! There really is no point bothering with the skeleton rail service when it's so much easier to get a BCC bus! On Sandgate Rd, literally just outside Clayfield station, there is a bus to the city every few minutes - as opposed the train on offer every hour or so through the day. If there was actually a proper service on the line, I think you'd find that patronage would increase dramatically.

Suburbs like Clayfield and Ascot are actually quite major centres and of similar stature to Nundah (and greater than Nudgee). Clayfield is one of the largest and most populous suburbs on Brisbane's northside and contains a bustling retail strip along Sandgate Rd and various schools and services, while Ascot is home to Racecourse Rd, one of Brisbane's premier suburban retail / leisure precincts. Both suburbs have decent population densities, in Brisbane terms, and a proper rail service would be highly appropriate IMO.

I think part of the problem is that the actual line itself is only a few stations off the main line from Eagle Junction. Unlike all the other lines the Doomben line is very short, and terminates only a few kilometres from Brisbane City. It'd be quicker using buses or cars from Doomben to the Brisbane CBD because all Doomben line trains are all stoppers. The lacking frequency would also be a major reason for poor patronage.

Eagle Junction Station is within pissing distance of Clayfield and gets far more frequent and quicker services.

They should extend the Doomben line down through the new Portside devt like has been suggested, then under the river to Bulimba/Balmoral and Hawthorne before linking back up with the Cleveland line. That would give bayside commuter two options in getting to the city - via South Bank or through Eagle Jcn (and the rest of northside). It would intergrate the Doomben line stations into the network properly and also double as a freight link between the two port areas on either side of the lower end of the River.

^ or when it's crossing the river, it could be put on the Gateway. 5 lanes each way plus the 2 train lines. Probably too steep.

Another idea. A train from Pk Rd, under Kangaroo Point, under storey bridge, join back up between Brunswick St and Central. Tah-dah, Inner City Loop. Merivale Bridge may need duplication.
I was just thinking, what might be an idea is if Roma St needs expansions, they could build a second level of 2 or 4 platforms. Send the Gold Coast/Airtrain line on here. Then, carve a tunnel above and to the left of the existing portals. Have the tunnel follow under Wickham Tce thru Spring Hill. By-pass Central, join back up just before Brunswick St.

Agreed it is too steep (Gateway) for a train.


Or have the City line (porposed 3 underground stops) split off just before Bowen Hills, go through the city, and join back up... (not sure where would be good)

^^^

maybe an elevated track after Brunswick.St and a station around the Merthyr/Newstead area, then elevated to Bowen Hills.

From the south, the tunnel would most likely start From the Cleveland line, the junction has to be between Buranda and Park Rd, leaving Buranda is an interchange point for the busway. Maybe the idea here is to spread the current tracks just on the Park Rd side of the freeway, and take another 1 in 30 dive between the tracks, curving away to the north once deep enough, and joining up with the line from Dutton Park just before a Woolloongabba station. I think some fairly steep gradients & tight curves will be needed to fit in a junction in this area, and again in the city.

http://www.railpage.com.au/modules/gallery/albums/mickelaar/park_road.gif

Having an entrace similar to the Melbourne City Loop to accomodate Cleveland<>Doomben/Bowen Hills and Beenleigh<>Ferny Grove/Mitchelton trains. The Airpot<>GC train would still run via South Brisbane etc. but would be truncated and terminate at Roma Street (similar to Sydney interurban trains at Central) then another airport service would run half hourly from Roma.St<>Airport. Because it seems running six-car sets at 30min is not enough, but not suitable. I'd propose a 15-20min 3car service to the airport.

http://www.railpage.com.au/modules/gallery/albums/album53/combined2.gif

^ not bad. That allows for them to have multiple services which come from any other station (ie not restricting the new underground stations to specific lines)

Well have to wait and see. Central was put in an unfortunate position IMO.

yeah, true.

The only way they can expand central is to tunnel underneath (similar to Town Hall in Sydney) but it would be a pretty steep gradient from Central<>Roma.St...so it would definately be costly.

The other prob with Central is that it's not really "central", and for that map I psoted to work, the line would have to loop around Spring Hill(not included in the pic), then to central<>Brunswick.St and onwards.

I think it would come from before Bowen Hills (coming from ferny grove etc), and branch down. With the first nuderground city stop at Petrie Bight, the second ad Riverside, and the third on Alice St area

And join on where you said

I think it would come from before Bowen Hills (coming from ferny grove etc), and branch down. With the first nuderground city stop at Petrie Bight, the second ad Riverside, and the third on Alice St area

And join on where you said

I think that would probably be the right idea, except then have a University/Parliament stop at the QUT campus. Then take the line marked in pink to just past the Southbank station.

I'm not sure the government would build a Woollongabba station because they've not long built the bus station there.

The government might also want to do this because it would be cheaper.

Check this out - its a bit of fun. The Brisbane imaginary subway.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/scottgrimmett/BIS/home.html

jt

At least there are other people out there thinking down the right track (no pun intended).

remember that the NSBT is under there as well. how deep would you have to go to get to the gabba.

Hah, at least the Qld Government realise there's a need for this. Down here in NSW we're lucky that they realise that Clearways might be a good idea. They haven't thought that we need a second rail loop in the city. Typical, typical, typical.

Agreed it is too steep (Gateway) for a train.


Or have the City line (porposed 3 underground stops) split off just before Bowen Hills, go through the city, and join back up... (not sure where would be good)

why cant they just have a lower bridge that can raise when there is a large ship that needs to get past? there is a bridge like that south of balina

Hah, at least the Qld Government realise there's a need for this. Down here in NSW we're lucky that they realise that Clearways might be a good idea. They haven't thought that we need a second rail loop in the city. Typical, typical, typical.

The existing City Circle can play a huge role in delays across the entire CityRail network when something goes wrong. When something does go wrong in the CC, pretty much every line is affected (except ESR and Illawara). The two tracks take most South, East Hills, Bankstown and Inner West line services, but also take a few additional Northern line and Western line services on weekdays. The CC is pretty busy, but it could still be used to a more frequent level rather than spend a huge amount adding a second loop IMO, the 30km/h speed limit on the eastern side and of the Circle doesn't help.

If the QLD Government decide to create a new link from Bowen Hills to Park Road, without any upgrading work at either station (like new platforms), those two stations will be pretty congested junctions if the link is used heavily.

^
Park Road has 4 platforms.....more than either south bank or south brisbane.

^
Park Road has 4 platforms.....more than either south bank or south brisbane.


Park.Rd's platform 4 is unable to be used.

^
why? I know they keep it locked but that is because they don't want people on the platform....no cameras or something.

^
why?


using 6-car trains on Park Rd Platform 4 causes big gaps between the doors and the platform due to the Platform being curved. Using 3-car trains parked on the city-bound end of Platform 4, should pose less of a problem since it is only using half the platform.

^
Okay. When I asked a rail worker about why they locked the gate and had the elevator disconnected awhile ago, he said that since there were no services people weren't to be on the platform. Following that I asked why there were no services, to which he said that he didn't know but he thought it was a planning issue - ie. why have it spread out on 4 platforms when 3 would suffice, similar to what they do at roma street.

I guess it was a miscalculation...but it is strange how they got curved platform 3 alright but not 4. When it is required I'm sure they'll fix it anyway.

I guess it was a miscalculation...but it is strange how they got curved platform 3 alright but not 4. When it is required I'm sure they'll fix it anyway.

Park Road's platform 3 is not as curved as platform 4. Platform 4 is extremely curved beside it is on the inside of the curve, not further out where the curve is more gradual.

When the 3rd track went from Northgate to Lawnton, Sunshine and Zillmere stations platforms were modified to accomodate the new curve of the new track. The existing platform edge was removed and replaced. So if they can do it there they can do it at Park Road. I'd say waiting on the upgrade and Busway connection?

When the 3rd track went from Northgate to Lawnton, Sunshine and Zillmere stations platforms were modified to accomodate the new curve of the new track. The existing platform edge was removed and replaced. So if they can do it there they can do it at Park Road. I'd say waiting on the upgrade and Busway connection?

Or the Boggo Road urban village redevelopment - that should be exciting for Park Road and create a major hub in the area.

jt

Just to let everyone know,

New Ticket Vending Machines (capable of accepting EFTPOS, Notes & Coins) and Ticket Validators have been installed at Petrie and Roma.St stations, for the TRANSlink smartcard trial.

There's only 2 validators, however, so you can imagine the lines it'll probably cause :runaway:

Why Petrie lol?


I am rarely at Roma St so I probably wont see/use one till theyre used elsewhere as well.

Why Petrie lol?


I am rarely at Roma St so I probably wont see/use one till theyre used elsewhere as well.

Isn't the Airtrain Vending machines Note acceptable??


I think Redcliffe will be the trial area for the smartcard. The bus service which connects from Redcliffe to Petrie will feed people on to the trial.

Strange, considering they scrapped the rail line and instead will improve bus services. :bash:

Why Petrie lol?

Pretty much what nagelixin said, Hornibrook are running a smartcard trial.
And for some reason, Petrie is the "main" station on the Caboolture line. With a Transit police station and it always seems to get new prototype stuff.

I guess also to show Redcliffe voters that the Government are 'commited' to public transport in the area. It all comes down to numbers. Numbers of commuters who will participate in the trial can be relatively conservative, and also to stop any voter damage at the next state election.

With regard to the Merivale Rail Bridge, is it actually possible to increase the capacity of the bridge without resuming land or tunnelling. Every time I go through there it always seems squished up against the buildings.

With the state government wanting to spend $2 billion and the city council including it in the CBD masterplan, I think there would be a good chance of the heavy rail subway route.

^^ if u read the rest of the thread u would notice that the majority of conversation is about a subway. the proposal is ACTUALLY a subway rather than increasing the bridge capacity

^^ if u read the rest of the thread u would notice that the majority of conversation is about a subway. the proposal is ACTUALLY a subway rather than increasing the bridge capacity

No, they want to alleviate the strain on the bridge.

KJBrissy, its not possible to 'widen' the bridge, the only solution is another bridge (god forbid) or a tunnel. Theres only three tracks across the bridge which is pretty appaling and hence such shitty frequencies.

I thought there was only two tracks??

Fingers crossed a subway is the only option the govt is seriously considering.

It is only 2 tracks

I think the plan is for a subway linking Central to Park Road, with stops near Eagle Street in the city, QUT and the Gabba.

http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/4273/p31900359zc.jpg

^^
Right.
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:::pc=PC_1779#vision
^^
BCC City Centre Master Plan - click on the link on the webpage.

Heavy Rail

Key recommendations

Provide a new rail loop and stations in the city centre to ensure improved coverage and distribution. Locations to be considered for these stations are Eagle Street, Gardens Point, Spring Hill and Centenary Place.

Investigate options for new heavy rail river crossings to cater for increased demand, and enable the provision of this new railway line and stations.

Improve the amenity of major pedestrian routes to rail stations.

Support the development of more Park and Ride facilities in suitable locations where there is little traffic congestion. Encourage people to choose public transport as the preferred option, rather than driving into the city centre.

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/7033/brisbaneundergroundrail3rb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

They actually have a little rectangle representing a station at Woolloongabba there in that map above.

I think the Spring Hill station is a really good idea. It would service big schools, hospitals, offices and a lot of residential areas.

^^ And you wouldn't have to climb up such a mother of a hill to get places!!! Spring Hill is a bit run down ATM, but I think if it had a subway station...Voila...quick smart gentrification.