Sunshine Coast company Hall Contracting has been awarded the early works construction contract for the jointly funded Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (B2N), unlocking the first of 333 overall jobs expected to be created by the project.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the project is another reminder of the Federal Liberal-Nationals Government's record nationwide $110 billion infrastructure investment plan connecting communities.
"Investing in B2N is also about creating jobs and supporting the Sunshine Coast and Queensland's economic recovery," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
"It's the first time in history that the Federal Government is funding this stretch of rail, where we're contributing 70 per cent. We're also funding 80 per cent of the Bruce Highway upgrades. The Sunshine Coast deserves this level of support."
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said early works would provide a shot in the arm for local jobs on the Sunshine Coast.
"The Queensland Government is delivering a record $27.5 billion roads and transport infrastructure investment program and Sunshine Coast road and rail upgrades are a major component of that program," Mr Bailey said.
"The efforts of the Sunshine Coast community to help manage the health impacts of the pandemic has meant we've been able to get on with delivering our COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan and keep work moving on projects like the $932 million Bruce Highway upgrade from Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway."
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said the early works would start early next year.
"The upgrade is one of several projects planned to improve the freight and passenger connection between Brisbane and Cairns," Mr Wallace said.
"This $550.8 million investment in rail upgrades will help alleviate pressure on the Bruce Highway – the backbone of our transport infrastructure.
"The B2N project will provide additional track capacity and reliability, creating travel time savings and enabling increased passenger and freight services to the growing Sunshine Coast region."
Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O'Brien said through a $390 million commitment to rail upgrades between Beerburrum and Nambour, the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government is delivering the transport infrastructure the Sunshine Coast needs and deserves.
"Alongside our record investment in a safer and less congested Bruce Highway, this project is another example of our determination to deliver for people of our region, to make sure the infrastructure they need and deserve is funded and delivered," Mr O'Brien said.
"These early works are the next critical step in delivering this project, which will create 333 jobs and over 1,860 additional parking spaces while paving the way to begin duplicating the line and separate passenger and freight rail at a serious pinch point along the line."
State Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt said the early works contract was a coup for a business that was founded and continues to operate on the Sunshine Coast.
"More capacity and better rail takes extra cars and trucks off our road, and for the thousands of families that call this area home that means a quicker, safer commute home," Mr Hunt said.
"It also means more jobs and I'm proud to be part of a government that's also delivering the new Bells Creek Arterial Road and the $662 million Bruce Highway upgrade from Steve Irwin Way to Caboolture."
State Member for Nicklin Robert Skelton welcomed the announcement and said the project would also see park 'n' ride upgrades at Nambour and Landsborough stations.
"The early works will increase the park 'n' ride capacity at Landsborough and Nambour stations, helping to manage parking pressures in the surrounding streets and suburbs," Mr Skelton said.
"For people in my community, the upgrade to the Nambour Station park 'n' ride facility will provide about 50 new parking spaces, boosting Nambour's commuter car parking to more than 300 spaces."
At Landsborough, an additional park 'n' ride facility with about 300 parking spaces will be built on the eastern side of the station, removing the need for people to drive across the level crossing to park.
Landsborough Station will also benefit from the construction of a new bus interchange.
Stage one will also realign a one-kilometre section of Steve Irwin Way between Nursery Road and Moffatt Road, allowing duplication of the rail line and smoothing of the curves through this section.
The early works will pave the way for the major construction works to deliver rail duplication between Beerburrum and Beerwah, three new road-over-rail bridges and expansion of the park 'n' ride facility at Beerburrum.
Early works are expected to start in early 2022 and be completed by 2023, weather and construction conditions permitting.
Stage 1 construction is expected to be completed by 2025, weather and construction conditions permitting.
The Australian and Queensland governments have committed $550.8 million towards the B2N project, with the Australian Government providing $390 million and the Queensland Government providing $160.8 million.
