Planning progresses for new rail line
By Sonia Isaacs
WHILE state funding for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line rests on the outcomes of a $14 million business case due for delivery in 2024, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) continues to progress with planning. This includes updates to track alignment and operational efficiencies for the proposed integrated transport project.
The proposed 37km passenger rail line will connect the Sunshine Coast between Beerwah, Caloundra and Maroochydore to Moreton Bay and Brisbane, with the new rail line proposed to tie into the existing North Coast Line, north of Beerwah Station. Trains operating on the proposed Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line (DSCRL) would continue to the Brisbane CBD and beyond, without passengers needing to transfer at Beerwah. The rail line is being designed as a dual track for speeds up to 160 km/h, where the rail geometry and stations allow.
As part of the CAMCOS study, a route was determined and land preserved. The current business case includes a review of this preserved corridor to refine the alignment and station locations. The original CAMCOS corridor included provision for a single-track rail line, designed to rail standards in 2001, however, this has since been reviewed under the current business case. TMR has confirmed the track alignment has now been updated to protect for two tracks designed to current Queensland Rail standards, and operations and curves have been reduced to enable operational efficiencies, increase rail speeds and decrease travel time.
Updated concept layouts have been released for station designs which will see Beerwah station proposed to be upgraded to an interchange station with an additional third platform
To remove any risk of possible collisions and reduce any impacts to the road network, this project will not create any new level crossings, and property impacts are continuing to be investigated as part of the business case. To find out more https://www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/direct-sunshine-coast-rail
