The Government of Queensland in Australia has announced that Bundaberg station improvement and other associated project works have begun to improve the Wide Bay rail network.
According to Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey, the work programme includes a A$21.8m ($16.2m) signalling upgrade project in Bundaberg, as well as another A$12m ($8.9m) investment to rehabilitate the Burnett River rail bridge.
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Bailey said: “With three long distance trains servicing the station – the Spirit of Queensland, Spirit of the Outback, and Tilt Train – and more than 91,000 visitors in 2017, there is no doubt that Bundaberg station is Queensland’s most popular regional train station.
“We’ll be looking to continue this momentum by making progress on a number of our key investments in the Bundaberg and Wide Bay regions throughout 2018 and 2019.”
He added that the existing signalling systems at Bundaberg and Bundaberg North will be replaced with a new system.
A new power equipment room equipped with a new generator machine will also be installed near Bundaberg station to ensure power is supplied during unplanned power disruptions or severe storms.
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By GlobalDataRail signalling upgrade works between the Kolan/Mt Perry and Thabeban Road level crossings have already started, while works at the Walker Street level crossing are due to start in September this year.
Bailey stated: “The final leg of the project will commence next year, with upgrades to the rail signalling at Hanbury Street level crossing and the installation of a new pedestrian crossing at Perry Street, which Queensland Rail is currently working with local council to finalise.”
The Burnett River rail bridge upgrade works have also commenced, where the workers have completed the sandblasting.
The bridge serves as a key piece of infrastructure on the North Coast railway line.
The Bundaberg re-signalling project is expected to be completed in August next year and the Burnett River bridge upgrade is due to be commissioned in the middle of this year.
