The Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project is set to make rail transport more efficient, but with contractors yet to be appointed, commuters may be waiting a while.
The plan, jointly funded by the state and federal governments, will double the number of tracks between Kuraby and Beenleigh to enable more frequent and reliable train services as the region’s population grows.
In addition, specific stations will be upgraded and relocated, tracks will be straightened, and level crossings removed.
Despite promising $240 million for the project in the latest state government budget, a spokesperson for the Department of Transport and Main Roads said the project was still “in the design phase” and contactors were not appointed.
“The project is currently in the design refinement and pre-procurement phase,” the spokesperson said.
“The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is finalising the reference design for the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project ahead of further community consultation later in 2023.
“TMR still needs to undertake procurement activities to appoint contractors to construct the project. Further detailed design will occur once contractors have been appointed.”
He said early-stage procurement activities would “commence shortly”.
But development of the project might take longer than expected, with the possibility it is subject to the federal government’s 90-day independent review of the Infrastructure Investment Program, which has been introduced to determine the feasibility of certain infrastructure projects.
When asked whether the Faster Rail project was under review, a spokeswoman for the infrastructure minister Catherine King refused to comment.
But a 2023–24 Queensland Budget information flyer suggests it is.
The flyer reads: “[The state government will invest] $240 million in 2023-24 out of a $2.598 billion total spend (under Australian Government review) towards the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project.”
The spokeswoman said the 90-day review was designed to determine the “true cost” of projects and ensure “land transport infrastructure projects are nation-building, economically sustainable and resilient to our changing climate”.
“We won’t pre-empt the outcome of the review,” she said.
Once – or if – the project is completed, Logan commuters can look forward to reduced wait times.
Currently, some train services need to be held to one side for about four minutes to allow Gold Coast express trains to pass through.
According to the TMR spokesperson, the additional tracks will avoid these delays.
The straightening of tracks will also address this issue, with several current curved sections of track decreasing the speed of trains.
“The exact time savings on the corridor will be determined once the design is finalised,” the spokesperson said.
