A competitive tendering process boasting smarter designs will save taxpayers $171 million on the Springfield Rail Project with early works scheduled to begin mid-year, Premier of Queensland Anna Bligh has announced.
Ms Bligh said TrackStar Alliance has been awarded the $475 million Richlands to Springfield section of the project now due for completion in 2013 – two years ahead of schedule.
The announcement comes after the Government’s decision to open the $800 million first stage of the project from Darra to Richlands on January 17 during the flooding disaster.
Ms Bligh said the project was a massive investment for public transport in the Western Corridor region, and will reduce the number of vehicles on the Centenary Highway.
Project highlights include:
·Two state of the art train stations, with one at Springfield Lakes (near Woodcrest College) and one at Springfield (near Orion Shopping Centre);
·A 9.5km dual track rail line from Richlands to Springfield;
·An auxiliary city-bound lane on the Centenary Highway between Springfield Parkway and Johnson Road;
·Two crossings under the Centenary Highway from Springfield station to the Orion Shopping Centre;
·A dedicated pedestrian and cycle path connecting Richlands to the Springfield community
·Park’n’ride spaces at both Springfield (100) and Springfield Lakes (200); and
·Bicycle lockers and racks, kiss’n’ride bays, disability access and CCTV coverage of all areas.
“During morning peak the new rail line could potentially take up to 2500 cars off the Centenary Highway with the trip from Springfield to Brisbane taking approximately 40 minutes,” said Premier Bligh.
“This means people can live farther away from the city without having to drive but there are also environmental wins as well.
“The new line will provide a direct link between Springfield and Brisbane which will mean a lot to the local communities 18,000 residents – better access, cheaper travel, less congestion and fewer delays.”
Member for Inala, Annastacia Palaszczuk said the new Richlands station was a vital piece of community infrastructure for the southwest region.
“The Richlands station now means accessible transport for residents in Camira, Ellen Grove, Inala, Richlands and Forest Lake,” she said.
“It’s great news for these residents and also means less congestion on our busy roads.”
Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said significant savings had been achieved under smarter design concepts and a competitive tendering process.
“Expert designers identified that works could be undertaken around Augusta Parkway ramps and bridge structure meaning no additional costs to alter existing structures or in reconstruction of the Centenary Highway,” she said.
“Bringing the Springfield line forward by two years shows the government’s commitment to its go west for growth strategy.”
Ms Nolan said Queensland’s latest piece of transport infrastructure the rail link between Darra and Richlands and the new Richlands station opened early last month during the floods.
“Ipswich and the western suburbs were some of the worst hit by the floods so the new line opened early, during a free week of public transport, to help people on the road to recovery,” she said.
TrackStar comprises companies such as Thiess, United Group Infrastructure, Aurecon and AECOM and had extensive experience with rail infrastructure upgrades in south east Queensland.
