Moreton Bay Rail Link reaches first milestone

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Construction companies interested in designing and building two of the three road bridges associated with the $1.15 billion Moreton Bay Rail Link project have until 3 February to submit their best bids under the tender process being managed by the Queensland Government.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese recently joined with State Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk, Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland, Petrie MP Yvette D’Ath and Kallangur MP Mary-Anne O’Neill to mark this milestone in the delivery of this nation building project.

“The Moreton Bay Rail Link—first mooted more than a century ago in 1895—will ultimately stretch 12.6 kilometres connecting the Redcliffe Peninsula to Petrie via six new stations at Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Mango Hill (North Lakes), Kinsellas Road, Rothwell and Kippa-Ring,” said Mr Albanese.

“Once completed in 2016, we expect almost 6,000 people a day will make use of this much quicker, cleaner way of getting around the City as well as to and from work.

“The Gillard Labor Government recognises that the task of modernising and expanding the public transport infrastructure within our major cities is too big for any one level of government.

“That’s why we’ve already allocated $7.3 billion to this important nation building task—more than all our predecessors since Federation combined.”

The Moreton Bay Rail Link is being built with funding from the Gillard Labor Government ($742 million), the Bligh Labor Government ($300 million plus land) and the Moreton Bay Regional Council ($105 million).

Ms Palaszczuk said the construction of bridges along Dohles Rocks Road, Goodfellows Road and Kinsellas Road East in Kallangur were not only vital to the smooth delivery of the project but will also ensure no hazardous level crossings are created along the route of the new rail line.

“As well as calling for builders to design and build the first two of these bridges, I can also report that planning is well underway on the third bridge to be erected along Kinsellas Road East, with the successful constructor to be announced by the end of March,” said Ms Palaszczuk.

The tender process which opened today is for the realignment of Dohles Rocks Road and the construction of a new bridge between School Road and Russell Street as well as the erection of a new bridge along Goodfellows Road and its realignment so it connects with Dohles Rocks Road at Russell Street.

Cr Sutherland said it was pleasing to see the project’s early work packages were now out to tender, a development which clears the way for construction of the new Goodfellows Road and Dohles Rocks Road bridges to commence in mid 2012 and be completed by the end of 2013.

“The Moreton Bay Rail Link will be the catalyst for new investment in the region and the call for expressions of interest in the design and construction of road and bridge infrastructure demonstrates once and for all it’s all systems go,” said Cr Sutherland.

“This is one of many significant milestones ahead that should leave no doubt in anybody’s mind that the Moreton Bay Rail Link is on track to carry passengers by 2016.”

Ms D’Ath said this long awaited piece of public transport infrastructure project will deliver real benefits to up to 84,000 Brisbane residents, particularly those living on the Redcliffe Peninsula.

“The Moreton Bay Rail Link promises to create many opportunities for our region and our local economy,” said Ms D’Ath.

“For local residents, it will mean being able to commute from Kippa-Ring to the Gold Coast, and with the Commonwealth Games just six years away, that’s an exciting prospect.”

Ms O’Neill said it would be good for locals to see this work when it gets underway and help drive home that this vital link is coming.

“The new bridges and road approaches will make it easy to access the future Kallangur Station and planned transit-oriented development in the vicinity. Importantly, both will include cycle and pedestrian facilities,” said Ms O’Neill.

The project team will be contacting nearby residents in coming weeks to inform them about the work and what it will mean for them.

Construction of the rail component of the project, including the new stations, is scheduled to start in 2013 and be completed in 2016.

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