The Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project has kicked off with two of three major contracts being awarded.
The $5.75 billion project, jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, is crucial to increasing train services and catering for a booming population on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines. The project will:
- double the tracks from two to four between Kuraby and Beenleigh
- upgrade and rebuild train stations between Kuraby and Beenleigh
- remove five level crossings
The Martinus Degnan Joint Venture (Martinus Degnan) has won the contract to deliver the Loganlea Station Relocation project. This will see a brand-new Loganlea station built at a new location directly opposite Logan Hospital and close to Loganlea TAFE and Loganlea State High School.
The $173.76 million Loganlea Station Relocation project – jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments – will better connect customers with nearby health, education and community services.
The upgraded station has been designed to cater for more passengers, and will include improved access to the station with ramps, stairs and lifts from Valencia Street and Armstrong Road. There will also be new pedestrian and active transport connections to local facilities and across the rail line, and a secure storage cage for bicycle and scooter parking.
The Queensland Government is continuing to investigate options to improve connections to Loganlea station, including access to the station by bus, retaining some parking spaces from the existing park 'n' ride, and working with Logan City Council to identify other land opportunities for development.
Construction on the new Loganlea station is expected to start later this year, and open to services by mid-2027. The current Loganlea station will remain open until the new station is completed.
Bielby Hull Joint Venture (Bielby Hull) has been awarded the design and construction contract to deliver the Open Level Crossing Removal at Beenleigh Road, Kuraby.
This is the first of five level crossings that will be removed between Kuraby and Beenleigh as part of the wider Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project.
In late 2023, the Queensland Government sought public feedback on the initial design for the open level crossing removals.
The response showed there is clear support for level crossing removals, which will improve safety and ease traffic congestion. Access to key community facilities, accessible crossings, and local road connections was also a priority for the community.
As part of the tender process, the Queensland Government asked proponents to innovate and consider options to incorporate this feedback and deliver the best value for money.
The proposed solution at Kuraby will build on the previous refined design to provide a new road over rail bridge and improve local walkability and access across the rail corridor.
The Queensland Government will work with Bielby Hull over the next three to six months to further develop the design solution at Bethania, given the complexities at this location, including known flooding issues, ensuring local access and connections are maintained, and minimising impacts to important local community facilities.
The Queensland Government will consult with the community again on the updated designs for the open level crossing removals, in early 2025.
As stated by Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
"The Australian Government is proud to be partnering with the Queensland Government to deliver this important upgrade for train users and the Logan community.
"The Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail will double the capacity of the Gold Coast rail line and reduce waiting times at stations between Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast.
"This project will deliver long-lasting benefits for the City of Logan and this contract award is another step toward its completion."
As stated by Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish:
"Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail is vital to increasing train services between Beenleigh and the Gold Coast. Without it, the network will struggle to cater for a fast-growing population and the capacity to move spectators during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"Awarding these two contracts means work can begin on this critical transport project.
"Level crossings impact every Queenslander, whether you're a passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, or driver.
"The five level crossings being removed as part of the entire project are some of the first being addressed under the South East Queensland (SEQ) Level Crossing Program 2024.
"The program is the Queensland Government's new coordinated approach to cost-effective solutions to our most problematic level crossings across the South East."
As stated by State Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman:
"I will always fight to deliver better services for Logan.
"The newly-located Loganlea station and park 'n' ride will provide better connectivity to local facilities and ensure accessibility for everyone travelling around South East Queensland.
"With Logan Hospital undergoing its biggest expansion ever, the university and Loganlea TAFE right next door, Loganlea's new state-of-the-art train station is a huge boost for Logan's newest health and jobs precinct.
"The new fully accessible station at Loganlea means better services for everyone, and under Labor, locals will be able to travel anywhere using public transport for just 50 cents."
As stated by the Member for Stretton James Martin:
"Residents regularly raise this level crossing at Kuraby as a concern, it's an important development for my community that the design and construction tender for this road overpass has now been awarded."
"This level crossing removal is an important step to improve safety and congestion on our local road network, detailed design is underway and construction expected to start in early 2026."
"The Miles Government's Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail is a pivotal project for transport in our region."
30 SEPTEMBER 2024
