The long-awaited Moreton Bay Rail Link is a step closer to construction with the announcement that Thiess Contractors will take on one of south-east Queensland’s largest infrastructure projects.
The rail project could create opportunities for apprenticeships in Queensland with federal member for Petrie Yvette D’Ath stating that more than 8,000 jobs will be created during the life of the project.
The $1.147 billion 12.6km Moreton Bay Rail Link will transform the region, providing a new heavy rail passenger line between Petrie and Kippa-Ring, and six new stations in Murrumba Downs, Kallangur, Mango Hill, Mango Hill East, Kippa-Ring and Rothwell.
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland said that more than a century after it was first proposed, the awarding of the construction contract shows that the rail link is on its way and is “undoubtedly the single biggest infrastructure investment in this region for a generation”.
Queensland Transport and Roads Minister Scott Emerson said that major construction was expected to start early next year, with Thiess reporting in an August 1 press release that the rail link is scheduled to be operational by late 2016.
