The delivery of the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project has now been guaranteed as a key building contract has been signed, reports brisbanedevelopment.com.au.

The government will now commence making funds available to the selected ‘Pulse’ consortium as part of the PPP (public private partnership) agreement. 

The demolishment of the Roma Street Transit Centre will start later this year, with the construction phase to commence in 2020. 

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the project is the largest south-east Queensland has had in decades.  

“By 2036, the south-east corner alone will be home to nearly five million people which makes the need for turn up and go public transport essential,” she said.

“South East Queensland is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, and we need to build infrastructure now that helps us keep pace with that growth.

“Our public transport network is nearing capacity, constrained by a single rail river crossing with all lines running through the same four city centre stations.

“Cross River Rail will unlock this bottleneck creating new capacity for the whole region as it grows, ensuring high-capacity train stations where they are needed most.”          

Brisbanetimes.com.au reports that the Queensland Government will not be vying for federal funding for the multi-billion dollar project a second time (after being denied the first time), and will be funding the project solely from the state coffers. However, Ms Trad has left the door open for federal funds, if they were to become available in the future. 

So far, more than $500 million has been spent to purchase properties and compensation for business owners for the pending project. 

The Cross River Rail project will include a 10.2km railway from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, including 5.9km of tunnels running under the CBD and Brisbane River and four underground stations. 

The project is expected to be operational in 2024, and will create 7,700 jobs throughout the construction phase. 

Once the Cross River Rail project is up and running it is expected that 36,000 passengers daily will use the Roma Street busway, up from the current figure of 19,000 per day.

The Pulse Consortium is comprised of CIMIC Group companies, Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors, and UGL with international partners DIF, BAM, and Ghella Investments & Partnerships.

Hannah Schuhmann said the investment the state government is making in transport is vital, as the city will need the infrastructure to support the predicted 30% increase in visitation by 2020, plus, the south-east corner alone is expected to have a population of 5 million people by 2036. 

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