While researching something else, a figure appeared for Doomben Line extension into Northshore Hamilton. The figure is in 2019 dollars. Using the RBA inflation calculator, this is about $1.81 billion in 2024 dollars.
It is not clear if this is just the extension from Doomben into a flyover of Kingsford Smith Drive and a single station in Hamilton Northshore, or if it also includes line duplication.
Northshore rail extension Extending rail from Doomben Station through to Brisbaneâs largest urban renewal site at Northshore Hamilton $1.5 billion
Estimates using Canadian sources for Doomben Line Conversion
Benchmark: Scarborough Rapid Transit Line 3 replacement (Rail to Busway conversion) Cost: $70 million CAD for conversion of light metro to busway Unit Cost: CAD $17.5 million/km ($2024) <=> about $19.5 million AUD Corridor Length: 4 km (approx.) Costing Source: Toronto Transit Commission (see notes below)
Approach 1: Estimate directly
AUD $19.5 million/km x 4 km of line = AUD $78 million (seems a bit low given that some sort of interchange would have to go above Eagle Junction Rail station, and potentially a signalised at-grade intersection for crossing KSD)
Approach 2: Apply a 3x upwards adjustment
Assume the Canadian figure is low due to local factors, so take the figure and triple it.
While these results are not as conclusive as those that we would get from a proper local study, it does suggest that BRT conversion of the Doomben line could potentially be significantly cheaper than rail extension of the line into Portside Hamilton.
The figures given by Hale and Prosper Australia are around the $1.8 billion mark for rail extension. A bit of a gap here is we donât have the details for what was proposed, but it would be reasonable to think one station plus a flyover of Kingsford Smith Drive would be in the figure.
IMO i would prefer extend Doomben to underground Airpirt stations to cruise terminal & Port of Brisbane while convert existing viadact to BRT to make Toombul interchange more useful along with Skygate addition⌠As it would greatly revitalize the whole inner east & be a huge ecomonic hub between transit, shipping & tourism
I worry that an appropriate outcome for Eagle Junction is a financial black hole for both sides of the rail or BRT coin, regardless of what you do .
Ultimately I think whatâs most important is that the issue is looked at from a whole-of northside transit system perspective to get the right solution(s) for the area. The biggest thing I donât want to see is a piecemeal approach where bits and pieces (e.g. Hamilton, airport etc.) are all considered in isolation.
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