We attended the official Start of construction for the Keperra to Ferny Grove Rail Upgrade. Official press release below:
[img]http://www.transitionthegrove.org.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/Sod_Turning_Sml.JPG[/img]
13 December 2010
[b]Start of construction for the Keperra to Ferny Grove Rail Upgrade [/b]
Construction of the $100 million Keperra to Ferny Grove Rail Upgrade will begin next month.
Transport Minister Rachel Nolan today turned the ceremonial first sod to mark the start of the major upgrade.
“The Bligh Government is proud to be delivering this project to the people in Brisbane’s North West” Ms Nolan said.
“The $100 million upgrade involves duplicating the rail line between Keperra and Ferny Grove upgrading Ferny Grove train station providing more car parking and bicycle storage and ultimately providing better transport options for the region.”
Local Member Geoff Wilson said this was excellent news for the Ferny Grove electorate.
“This means better station facilities and greater rail infrastructure for our community” Mr Wilson said.
“The major upgrade will ensure that public transport within the Ferny Grove region meets our requirements well into the future.
“The project will create 640 jobs and will start with building a temporary platform at Ferny Grove station adjacent to the existing platform on the Samford Road side of the car park.
“This temporary platform will ensure that rail operations are not disrupted by construction work however it does unfortunately mean a temporary loss of some car spaces.
“Rail operations will switch to the temporary platform in April 2011 to allow construction ofthe new platform and new station building to progress?
Ms Nolan said a number of other changes would be necessary to make way for the major upgrade.
“Bike lockers will be relocated opposite the temporary platform and access within the car park will change to provide new entry points in early January” she said.
“Unfortunate|y tree clearing is necessary and has begun with further shrubbery a gum tree and old fig tree in Conavalla Street to be removed in January to make way for the new track bus interchange and new cabling works.
“According to the arborist’s report the fig tree is in poor condition and had a limited life span.
“As there is not a great deal of room to reinstate vegetation within the project footprint the State Government is keen to work with local environmental groups to sponsor and facilitate local landscaping ventures.”
The State Government will also seek community input for landscaping the new station area.
The Keperra to Ferny Grove Rail Upgrade is part of the Queensland Governments South East Queens/and Infrastructure P/an and Program 2010-2031 to provide the necessary infrastructure to manage growth and improve access to services and facilities throughout South East Queensland.