News

South East Queenslanders are being urged to plan their Christmas and New Year train travel in advance, with a 10-day track closure required to allow for major Cross River Rail works.

Cross River Rail Delivery Authority CEO Graeme Newton said the track closure from Christmas Day (Saturday 25 December) until Monday 3 January would impact train services predominantly on the Beenleigh, Gold Coast and Cleveland lines.

“While Cross River Rail will transform how we travel to, from and through Brisbane in the future, construction does mean impacts to travel and transport services,” Mr Newton said.

“We appreciate some people will be inconvenienced, but the closure over the traditionally quieter holiday period will allow us to undertake major works safely and efficiently within the rail corridor.”

Mr Newton said the track closure was necessary to make way for the southern tunnel portal – where trains will enter and exit Cross River Rail’s twin tunnels.

“The works will involve the removal of existing track and the construction of new track between Dutton Park and Park Road stations,” he said.

“This is vital construction that will see surface rail align with Cross River Rail’s tunnels, and it can’t take place with trains operating.

“There will also be other works undertaken at the same time, including track lowering at Fairfield station, which will require temporary changes to the pedestrian access and road closures around the station.”

Head of TransLink Sally Stannard said although the closure was scheduled during a time when less people travelled, plans were in place to minimise impacts as much as possible.

“We have been working closely with Cross River Rail and Queensland Rail to ensure there are plenty of replacement services in place during this closure,” Mrs Stannard said.

“Travel to and from New Year’s Eve events this year will be different to previous years, particularly for people travelling between the city and Brisbane’s south and bayside.

“Arrangements are in place to ensure people can still enjoy celebrations in the city and at South Bank and South Brisbane and the best way to make sure you get to where you need to be over the holidays is to plan in advance with TransLink’s Journey Planner.

“We will continue to keep the community up to date before the closures come into effect from Christmas Day.”

RACQ spokesperson Kate Leonard-Jones urged New Year’s Eve revellers to plan ahead before travelling across Brisbane.

“Those heading to firework displays this year at South Bank need to be aware access to the South Bank and South Brisbane train stations can only occur on the Shorncliffe or Ferny Grove line at Roma Street,” Ms Leonard-Jones said.

“During the 10-day closure, motorists may also experience heavier traffic along Ipswich, Fairfield and Wynnum Roads due to replacement bus services, so please be patient and allow extra time.

“While these changes may cause some temporary inconvenience, they are necessary to carry out important work on Cross River Rail.

“This project is going to future-proof Brisbane and improve travel around the River City.”

For more information, visit Cross River Rail’s Travel Checker.

Trains will operate to special timetables and specific alternate travel arrangements. To help with planning, these will be available on TransLink’s Journey Planner in advance of the closure.