Brisbane’s Cross River Rail is one of the most important projects which has received new funding from the Government of Queensland as part of authorities’ AUD 13.9 billion (USD 9.96 billion) infrastructure investment plan for 2020-2021.
The project was estimated at AUD 6.7 billion (USD 4.8 billion). AUD 2 billion (USD 1.46 billion) is the estimated expenditure at June 30, 2020.
Under the FY 2020-21, the government will provide AUD 1.53 billion (USD 1.1 billion), followed by AUD 1.56 billion (USD 1.12 billion) in 2021-2022.
For the FY 2022-23, AUD 1.2 billion (USD 872.6 million) are to be provided and a last of AUD 376 million (USD 270 million) investment after 2023.
Cross River Rail project involves the construction of a 10.2 km railway line between Dutton Park and Bowen Hills Brisbane’s southern suburbs, which includes 5.9 km of twin tunnels under the Brisbane River and the CBD. Four new underground inner-city stations will be constructed, and the eight stations, including the Exhibition station, will be upgraded.
In 2017, the Queensland Government committed to fully fund the project. under the 2018 budget, AUD 2.8 billion (USD 2 billion) was provided, with a further AUD 2.6 billion (USD 1.86 billion) committed over subsequent years. For the 2018-19 financial year, the government committed AUD 733 million (USD 525.7 million) to the rail project for its second year of funding.
Early works for the project began in August 2017, while the major contractors commenced construction works in late 2019.
On August 10, two massive Tunnel Boring Machines have arrived in Queensland, ready to be fitted out before being deployed to dig Cross River Rail twin tunnels in early 2021. The construction of the new railway connection in Brisbane is expected to be completed in 2024.
The plan, announced on August 20, includes a AUD 6.1 billion (USD 4.4 billion) funding for transport infrastructure projects across the state, with a total indicative allocation of AUD 8.97 billion (USD 6.4 billion) to December 2021.
Queensland’s 2020 infrastructure investment plan includes 900 initiatives across transport, energy, health, education, training, digitalisation and other sectors with significant impact on economic recovery and job creation.
“In addition to creating and protecting jobs within the construction industry and supply chains, this investment will support our industries, regions and communities and be an incentive for further private investment. The Capital Programme 2020 Update confirms our pipeline of capital projects that will support jobs for tradies, subcontractors and businesses now and into the future,” Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick, said.
In transport, the investment will also support infrastructure projects for rail development, the projects taking place at the ports of Gladstone and Townsville, as well as road infrastructure.
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