Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor, Australia

The Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor is the first of its kind major infrastructure project undertaken by the sate government of Queensland, Australia.

The project includes construction of an integrated railway and road network connecting Darra, a suburb of Brisbane, with Springfield, the 28.5km² residential developments in Ipswich. It also involves improvement to the existing railway, road and transportation links.

The project is estimated to cost approximately A$1.27bn. It was initially scheduled for completion between 2008 and 2015, but fast-tracked to 2013 as the Federal Government released the funding considering the importance of the project.

Population in the Greater Springfield region is expected to rise from 18,100 to 80,000 by 2030. The transport corridor will serve about 300,000 people in the western corridor region by 2031.

Project

The transport corridor will include construction of 14km of dual track railway line from Darra to Springfield, expansion of the Centenary Highway that connects Springfield and Brisbane from two to four lanes, and construction of three railway stations, road and railway bridges, car parking, park and ride facilities, and pedestrian and cycle paths.

The project is being executed in two stages. The cost of Stage 1, which opened in 2011, was A$800m. Stage 2 was estimated to cost A$646m, but was reduced by A$171m because of design savings by the contractors.

The new Darra to Springfield railway line will be a branch of the Ipswich railway line. It will connect the Darra station and extend to Springfield. It has been undertaken by the South East Queensland Infrastructure Projects (SEQIPRAIL).

SEQIPRAIL is an A$134bn railway programme undertaken by the Queensland Government. Being executed between 2010 and 2031, the 20 year program will involve construction of 32 rail projects, 431km of new railway tracks, and providing 142 new trains to the South East Queensland.

Construction

Stage 1 of the Darra to Springfield railway line involved the construction of a new dual passenger railway line from Darra to Richlands and a new railway station at Richlands. The construction was started in early 2008 and completed in December 2010. The line was opened to public in January 2011.

A new 4.5km dual-track railway line is laid parallel to the Centenary Highway and connects Darra Station with Richlands. It has single crossovers.

A 4.3km section of the Centenary Highway road was expanded with two lanes in each direction in the north of the Logan Motorway Interchange. It also involved construction of 2km of local roads. Stage 1 included construction of four rail bridges and seven road bridges.

Stage 1 also included construction of a new 5.6km-long and 3.5m-wide cycle and pedestrian path. It forms a sustainable transportation alternative from Darra to Logan Motorway interchange. It conveniently connects the commuter destinations, the local street network and has resting areas and security lighting along the route.

Stage 2 of the railway corridor is between Richlands and Springfield. It will be a 9.5km dual track passenger railway line. It will provide a direct link between Springfield and Brisbane, substantially reducing the traffic burden thus benefiting 18,000 commuters.

The scope of work includes construction of two new train stations at Springfield Lakes and at Orion Shopping Centre in Springfield, a city-bound lane, two crossings, and a cycle and pedestrian path with complete CCTV coverage between Richlands and the Springfield community.

The road works in Stage 2 will include duplication of Centenary Highway from Springfield to Richlands and upgrade of Logan Motorway interchange.

Construction of Stage 2 will begin in the second half of 2011 and be completed in 2013.

Infrastructure

The Richlands station has 160m-long platform built to handle six-carriage trains. Its facilities include an undercover pedestrian footbridge, stair lobby, lift and other amenities for staff and passengers.

The station features light emitting diode (LED) lighting, storm water run-systems, drought tolerant landscaping, night lighting and 24-hour CCTV surveillance cameras. About 650 car parking spaces, a bus interchange and park 'n' ride bays are also provided at the station.

Contractors

The Stage 1 was contracted to Horizon Alliance, a collaboration between GHD, Kellog Brown & Root (KBR), John Holland, Queensland Rail (QR) and the Department of Main Roads.

The Stage 2 was contracted to TrackStar Alliance for A$475m in February 2011. The alliance includes AECOM, United Group Infrastructure, Aurecon and Thiess.