The first passengers on Brisbane’s Cross River Rail’s are still four years away, with the project costing taxpayers more than $19 billion by then.
Following almost a year of negotiations with contractors, the State Government has revealed the final price tag for the project, which involves a new 10.2km rail line, that includes 5.9km of twin tunnels running under the Brisbane River and CBD and four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street.
State Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg said the Government had now reached an agreement with the contractors, with performance-based funding and strict milestone accountability in place.
Minister Mickelberg said in December it was thought the project would exceed $17 billion and would not be completed until 2029.
He said the final cost would be $19.041 billion, with the 2029 completion date still expected.
“The former Government originally promised Queenslanders the project would be completed for $5.4 billion by 2024.”
Minister Mickelberg said the project had been plagued by industrial disruptions, with more than 140 days lost due to protected industrial action and further cascading impacts from unprotected action.
“We’ve put contractors on notice. There are now clear expectations and consequences.”
Cross River Rail Delivery Authority CEO Graeme Newton said the reset provided a clear path forward for the project.
“This reset has allowed us to establish a realistic and achievable delivery schedule, and we’re committed to working closely with our delivery partners to meet the revised milestones,” Mr Newton said.
“Cross River Rail remains a transformational project for South East Queensland, and despite the challenges, we’re focused on delivering the infrastructure that will support our growing population and future transport needs.”
Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton said the organisation was preparing to welcome Cross River Rail into the network and deliver more services for passengers.
“We’re looking forward to integrating Cross River Rail into our network and delivering the extra train services that will come with it,” Ms Stapleton said.
“This project will transform how people move across South East Queensland, and we’re focused on ensuring a seamless transition that enhances the customer experience and supports future growth.”
