As South-East Queensland prepares to bear the brunt of Cyclone Alfred this week, there is better news in North Queensland, with the all rail lines re-opened following the torrential rain event earlier this year.
Queensland Rail Head of Regional Scott Cornish said the section of line between Townsville and Cairns had been closed for a month, following severe flooding in the region.
Mr Cornish said Queensland Rail reopened the North Coast line between the two cities over the weekend, following completion of repairs to major damage caused by the flooding.
He said both freight and passenger services had recommenced between Brisbane and Cairns with all road users reminded to take care around level crossings.
“Queensland Rail crews have been working tirelessly to complete repairs to 164 sites on the North Coast line that were impacted by severe weather.
“There was nearly seven kilometres of damage to the railway track with major washouts and scouring requiring culvert repairs, bridge rebuilds, resurfacing works and new formation poured in several locations.”
Mr Cornish said the Central West line between Longreach and Winton had also reopened.
He said the North Coast line ran the length of coastal Queensland and spanned 1600 track kilometres.
“Inspecting and repairing so much track and damage has been a mammoth job.
“Safety is our number one priority and we are reminding road users to take care around level crossings now that trains are passing through once again.”
The news comes as Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s intensity is predicted to fluctuate between category 1 and 2 over the next few days, but it is forecast to cross the southeast Queensland coast at category 2 strength late on Thursday or early Friday morning.
