According to the Toowoomba Chronicle - Construction has been delayed until mid this year but still will open by 2031. First stage of the Loganlea station relocation and level crossing removal at Beenleigh is also on track.
1 Like
Designs forming for Gold Coast rail boost
1 Like
I guess it was too much to hope that the new government would rename this project. Itâs primarily a capacity improvement project. Any speed improvement will be negligible, particularly once the three new stations on the Gold Coast line are factored in.
I have noticed quite a lot of construction activity on the new Loganlea station site, though. Iâm thinking the new station may well be ready before the rest of the project, which would be welcome. The accessibility issues with the current station are well-known, and are a particular issue given its proximity to Logan Hospital.
It was always planned for the new Loganlea Station to be built ahead of the larger LGCFR project. The renders for it showed two lines running through the station initially, but with additional platforms in place for the two additional lines that would be added later.
SMEC is proud to be a part of the ActivUs Alliance that will deliver the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project for the Queensland Government. The ActivUs Alliance includes CPB Contractors, ACCIONA AU & NZ, UGL, WSP and SMEC in an alliance delivery model that responds to the projectâs unique challenges.
The Logan to Gold Coast Faster Rail project is a vital component of Queenslandâs transport future, ensuring that the region is prepared not only for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, but also the long-term growth along this corridor. The project aligns with the Queensland Governmentâs vision of a world-class, integrated transport system that is efficient, sustainable, and accessible to all.
This project is one of Queenslandâs largest rail infrastructure projects. It will involve significant enhancements, including additional tracks, upgraded stations, and improved rail operations between Logan and the Gold Coast. This will support future growth and provide a faster, more efficient experience for commuters traveling between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Weâre excited to bring the combined expertise of the alliance to work with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Rail to deliver this transformative project, helping pave the way for a holistic approach to a connected future.
Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wRZLo
1 Like
Alliance picked for Queensland rail works
by Tim Hall
Image:ĺ¤éŁç隤/stock.adobe.com
Contractors have been announced for the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project in Queensland.
CIMIC Groupâs CPB Contractors and UGL have secured the design and pre-construction contract for the Logan and Gold Coast (LGC) Faster Rail project, a major upgrade aimed at boosting capacity and service frequency on one of Queenslandâs busiest transport corridors.
Awarded as part of the ActivUs Alliance â comprising CPB Contractors, UGL, ACCIONA, SMEC and WSP â the contract will see the group collaborate with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Rail to advance detailed design and project planning.
The LGC project will upgrade a 20-kilometre stretch between Kuraby and Beenleigh from two to four tracks and deliver a suite of accessibility and infrastructure improvements.
These include station upgrades with enhanced park ânâ ride and bus interchange facilities, level crossing removals, enhanced pedestrian and cycling links, and enabling works for future rollout of the European Train Control System.
The alliance is now commencing design development and further site investigations to prepare for delivery ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
^ K2B in a more rational place ⌠
How much faster will a train ride be expected to be from Brisbane to GC after this project is completed?
5 - 10 mins from what Iâve read.
1 Like
I think part of the âfasterâ is frequency and reliability.
Have you taken into account the additional stations?
2 Likes
Yeah, I questioned that as well but they are still saying in combination with CRR 5-10 mins.
I wouldnât be surprised if Gold Coast trains end up being no faster overall from Varsity Lakes to Central, although they might shave off a few minutes when CRR opens.
The main benefit will be capacity improvement.
Beenleigh trains might be a bit faster in peak, as they wonât have to be held at Bethania anymore for the expresses to overtake.
They could be eliminating the slack/ dwell times in the timetable for time savings as well
So, I have had some thoughts regarding the Logan Gold Coast rail project and wanted to share and get other thoughts on it.
Hereâs the current situation with the line. Gold Coast services make a stop at Beenleigh and Loganlea, and this isnât going to change. The stations in the middle of those two (Holmview, Edenâs Landing and Bethania) are all low to very low patronage. The most up-to-date data for Edenâs Landing is about 28,000 per year and Holmview 15,000. This equates to less than an average of only 76 people per day for Edenâs Landing and 41 per day for Holmview.
When LGCFR is carried out, both of these stations are going to be rebuilt to full, gold plated standards and the line quadrupliacted from Kuraby all the way through to Beenleigh. However, the population catchment around these two stations is very small, and I canât see how the patronage for both of these stations is likely to change in the future based on the fact there is no room for growth around these stations.
So, I have been thinking about this idea. Beenleigh services run to Loganlea with a turnback facility there. Gold Coast services run through with a stop at Bethania. Looking at the current timetable I suspect there might be a bit of padding in the timetable, so I reckon the stop could be accommodated without adding more travel time.
Of course there is a con to this idea (closing stations at Edenâs Landing and Holmview), but as I said, I donât see how there will be opportunities for significant growth at those stations.
I can see quite a few pros though:
- No need to upgrade two low patronage stations saving $$.
- No need to quadruplicate the section of track from Loganlea to Beenleigh saving more $$.
- No need to make Beenleigh four platforms saving even more $$.
- The potential to redirect funds saved to either make other improvements to the project (i.e. additional track straightening) or address other needs across the network.
In place of the closure of those stations I think it would be reasonable to run bus services from Bethania to Beenleigh, serving those suburbs and the growth areas around that area which the rail line doesnât serve. I think 30 minute frequencies would be adequate for the time being for those bus services.
Anyhow, those are my thoughts. Would love to hear yours.
1 Like
The contracts have been signed just prior to the election and the LNP werenât looking at reviewing that project. It will be done as per the original community consultation and final designs. They are moving along with the Loganlea relocation as we speak. Lots of activity there at the moment.
4 Likes
Well then scratch that idea ha.
Good theyâre working on that station. So in need of it!
1 Like
I donât know if I would support removing both Holmview and Edens Landing, I feel that leaves too large a gap in a rapidly growing area (south of Logan River Road), and both Beenleigh and Bethania Stations are a bit too far removed from the area to adequately service it.
The problem that both stations have is access - Edens Landing is on the very outer periphery of a suburb that doesnât have a single straight road in it, and the local bus service through there doesnât even service that station due to its location. Meanwhile Holmview Station isnât even in Holmview but is buried in a industrial area of Beenleigh.
I donât think much can be done for the former, but Holmview I think should be moved further west to the corner of Holmview Road and Grove Road in Holmview (circled blue in the below image).
My reasoning is that this location is much more accessible from Logan River Road, itâs a location that already exists on the local 562/568 bus route, and is close to some of the main roads that service the growing new Holmview and Bahrs Scrub developments south of Logan River Road. Using this location would provide a viable alternative for local bus to train connections than than 567 shuttling them all into Beenleigh.
563 Bus Route Map:
567 Bus Route Map:
1 Like
This location is only a few hundred metres up the line from where they propose to relocate Holmview Station as well, but the proposed location doesnât appear to provide any significant accessibility from the Holmview side of the line.
One good thing thatâs going to come from the rebuild is that Loganlea will become a fully gated station, with ticketed and unticketed areas.
It should make heaps of help in terms of keeping the station area safer and calmer.
6 Likes