Boundary Road Level Crossing Removal (Coopers Plains)

[rowangray]

@Transport and Main Roads

The department has completed design of a new rail overpass to reduce congestion and address safety concerns at Boundary Road (Coopers Plains) rail level crossing.

The new crossing will include an overpass over the existing rail line at Boundary Road and an elevated three-way intersection connecting Boundary Road and Orange Grove Road.

Feedback from mid-2022 community consultation and results from site investigation works completed in late 2023, informed further refinements to the project design.

Current status

Project design is complete. Subject to approvals, early works which include site preparation and relocation of underground utilities, are expected to start in mid-2025.

Boundary Road (Coopers Plains), rail level crossing, funding commitment | Department of Transport and Main Roads

@Department of Infrastructure; Transport; Regional Development; Communications; Sport; and the Arts

Funding

The Australian Government has committed $179.5 million towards this project.

Timetable

Construction is expected to commence in mid 2026, with completion expected in late 2029.

Boundary Road level crossing, Coopers Plains | Infrastructure Investment Program

[rowangray]

It’s disappointing to see that this LX removal has been delayed. So much for the Crusifulli Government ‘Delivering for Queensland’ with their superior project management

It’s also shocking that the Queensland Governments’ website is yet to be updated! At least the Federal Governments’ website has the revised timeframe. Speaking of, the fact that it takes 3 years to complete a level crossing removal is quite absurd. How does it end up taking that long?

Does anyone have more insight into the history of this LX? I’ve found an article with comments from @Ozbob from way back in 2014.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/southwest/call-for-removal-of-brisbanes-five-worst-railway-crossings/news-story/82b20c06011ba4c36359498f9efef050?amp

@Courier Mail

CRITICAL safety concerns at deadly railway crossings should be a State Government priority according to a public transport advocacy group lobbying for their removal.

Rail Back On Track co-ordinator Robert Dow said pedestrians, motorist and cyclists continued to dice with death, crossing rail lines in southeast Queensland.

Last year, southeast Queensland railway crossings accounted for 95 of the state’s 197 “crossing near misses” with cars, pedestrians and cyclists.

Mr Dow said overpasses would improve safety and allow trains to run at greater frequencies.

“Level crossings are a massive issues for people on mobility scooters in particular,” he said.

“Very often they can get stuck on railway tracks.

“We’ve got to bite the bullet and get rid of them now, because traffic is just becoming unmanageable across Brisbane.”

Mr Dow said five crossings at Wacol, Alderley, Coopers Plains, Coorparoo and Carseldine should be the first to go.

Speaking to the South-West Satellite, he said the Wacol Station Rd crossing was particularly unsafe.

Elsie Sweatman, 86, and Lois Hallam, 69, died instantly when the vehicle in which they were back seat passengers collided with a goods train at the crossing in 1998.

They were on their way to a bowls competition in Goodna when the car stopped on the railway line.

At the time, State Member for Inala Henry Palaszczuk said he would lobby the new Transport Minister to have the intersection upgraded.

Traffic lights had since been installed but the crossing still featured regularly as a near-miss hotspot.

“It’s a complicated level crossing with two pairs of double tracks — one pair in constant use as the main Ipswich rail line, the other two servicing freight trains,” Mr Dow said.

The South East Queensland Council of Mayors listed the same five railway crossings as priorities for a proposed ‘Open Level Crossing Elimination Program’ in 2015.

But Mr Dow said the local and state governments had been “frozen at the wheel” since.

Brisbane City Council Chairman for Infrastructure Amanda Cooper said rail infrastructure has always been the responsibility of the State Government which she said had indicated “rail crossing replacements were not a priority”.

“Rail replacements have traditionally always been funded with a 15 per cent contribution from Brisbane City Council and there are no plans to increase this funding for State Government infrastructure projects,” Cr Cooper said.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport and Main Roads said the State Government was getting on with a business case for an overpass on Boundary Road for the Coopers Plains level crossing and funding for a feasibility study for an overpass at Beams Road (Carseldine level crossing).

“We are keen to work with Brisbane City Council on funding these important projects on a continued 50:50 basis, but they need to support motorists and come to the table with their fair share of the funding,” she said.

[lott]

They could’ve at least taken the time to relocate and rebuild the station as well, but alas.

[Verbatim9]

@rowangray

the fact that it takes 3 years to complete

No dramas though as it will be done when CRR opens.

[MossPickle]

Famous last words

[Verbatim9]

No sarcasm here as we only really need it when Cross River rail starts up, as there will be more train movements in the area. They can get by, as there will be no increased frequency pretty much until then.

[Ozbob]

Yes very disappointing but what’s new? This crossing saga has been going on for many years now.

[Electro_Sykes]

Crisafulli‘s own transport minister, Brent Mickelberg, hates Public transport. I find it very funny and at the same time absurd that one is appointed to such role if they hate it.

[ari]

@rowangray

Speaking of, the fact that it takes 3 years to complete a level crossing removal is quite absurd. How does it end up taking that long?

I can see 3 years being a reasonable time frame for the entire project - from scoping to planning to delivery - given you obviously need to find budget, figure out when to slot in the works, etc. 3 years just to build though…

[rowangray]

Issue is, it’s already planned. 3 years is for construction!

[Gazza]

Has there been particular things he has said that indicate this?

[Kram0]

Stop talking rubbish unless you have something to backup the comment. Whichever Government is in power, they always take forever to do anything. Why was this level crossing not built during the last 12 yeas of Labor?

These people are politicians, and they only care about themselves most of the time, regardless of blue, red or any other colour. They work on budgets and political cycles.

[Ozbob]

Yes, long time for the actual construction. Working 24/7 Melbourne can manage to do the major construction in several months for road over rail at times, particularly with block closures. This is after all the consultation and design work, plus early works for services and so forth which adds to project time from 2 to 3 years.
This LX removal will be done concurrently in part with the others for the LGCFR, going to be a busy time for the line.

[rowangray]

Brisbane 'eyesore' remains as government reneges on construction date

[Ozbob]

Well done. But what a fiasco it all is. Appears the funding is secure, but they are still really to begin! Be lucky if this is completed by 2029 IMO. Another confidence sapping bumble.

That construction never happened, and now the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) says it has no timeline for when it expects work to begin.

[Electro_Sykes]

I really feel the state Gov often takes a ‘she’ll be right mate’ type of approach to everything.

[Kram0]

My gut reeling after reading the article, is they have gone to formal pricing and it is over the budget allocated by the 3 levels and Government involved, and they are now trying to figure out where they get the extra funds from.

It’ll happen, it’s just disappointing there are yet more delays, but that’s Australian politics for you!!

[Ozbob]

Be no great surprise if it was now over budget. Delays cost.

[Verbatim9]

Could not be due to limited labour around lately? So many delays in construction overall because of this.

[Ozbob]

I think it is more to do with ongoing negotiations and possible funding complications between the Federal, Queensland Governments and Brisbane City Council. Construction is expected to commence in mid 2026, with completion expected in late 2029 according to the Federal Government. TMR haven’t updated their website for the removal since September 2024. According to the article TMR has no timeline but the Feds do. Dysfunction junction!