Critical public transport infrastructure in Brisbane
14 October 2024
Whyalla steel will soon be carrying thousands of people every day in Brisbane as the Cross River Rail project moves closer to completion.
LIBERTY Primary Steel has provided about 3200 tonnes of rail to the game-changing project in the Queensland capital, with first Cross River Rail passenger services expected to commence in 2026.
The delivery is from the 45 kilotons of steel produced since July, which is roughly enough to fill Adelaide Oval. Cross River Rail is a second river crossing in Brisbane, with capacity to run as many as 24 trains in each direction each day. The system covers 10.2km of new track work, including 5.9km of tunnels under the Brisbane River and CBD, and access to four new underground stations.
It is a critical public transport infrastructure project that will improve our quality of life, help our economy keep growing, generate thousands of jobs, and activate urban development across the whole region
– Cross River Rail Delivery Authority CEO Graeme Newton
LPS Managing Director Tony Swiericzuk said the supply of rail to such a significant project was a credit to the workforce, particularly our Project & Logistics team which worked closely with clients to ensure all the rail was supplied on time and in line with project requirements.
“This is another example of Whyalla steel forming the backbone of an incredible nation-building project and proof once again of the high-quality rail product produced only in South Australia,” Tony said.
“This is a complex project with a significant number of parties working across various disciplines. We worked very closely with several parties including our logistics partners, flashbutt welding contractor, and project clients to ensure planned deliveries occurred in line with each party’s deadlines.”
Cross River Rail is being built with Whyalla steel in partnership with the private sector, including three major infrastructure packages.
Cross River Rail Delivery Authority CEO Graeme Newton said the rail system will transform the way people travel to, from and through South East Queensland.
“Cross River Rail is more than just a rail project,” Mr Newton said.
“It is a critical public transport infrastructure project that will improve our quality of life, help our economy keep growing, generate thousands of jobs, and activate urban development across the whole region.”
“It is also a catalyst for wider rail transformation – a fix at core of rail network that makes a number of possible future rail improvements across SEQ more viable.”
This is another example of Whyalla steel forming the backbone of an incredible nation-building project and proof once again of the high-quality rail product produced only in South Australia
LPS Managing Director Tony Swiericzuk
Some of immediate benefits will be significant time saving for commuters heading for the southern CBD of Brisbane while sports fans going to the famous GABBA sporting venue could save up 20 minutes and the shopping havens of Queen Street Mall and Eagle Street Pier will become even more convenient for train users.
Main picture: Whyalla rail installed as part of the new Cross River Rail project in Queensland. Above right: Rail produced at the Whyalla Steelworks.