The mezzanine of the underground Woolloongabba station is taking shape, using a sophisticated method of construction never before seen anywhere in the world.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk inspected progress on site today congratulating the Cross River Rail team on the engineering marvel.
"The Cross River Rail mega project funded entirely by my government is a testament to the skill of Queensland's workforce," the Premier said.
"Construction of the mezzanine level in this manner has never been done before and requires to the millimetre precision from the 50 strong team working underground right now.
"Once complete, Queensland's first underground train line will revolutionise transport through the South East and open up opportunities to connect from coast to coast.
"And where we are standing is where sporting fans from around the world will take the journey through the mezzanine to get to and from The Gabba on game days, or to the main stadium for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"It was my government who backed this project knowing the thousands of good jobs and better services this will deliver for Queenslanders now and into the future."
Deputy Premier Steven Miles said massive concrete beams were being installed with millimetre accuracy at the project's Woolloongabba site to create the future station's mezzanine level.
"Anything made up of 180 concrete beams – each weighing up to 70 tonnes – would be considered impressive in its own right," Mr Miles said.
"But what makes this phase of station construction so remarkable is the way the beams are installed.
"After being assembled, the concrete beams are lowered into the station box, moved into position and then turned 90 degrees in the air inside the cavern, before being fitted into place.
"The margin of error within the cavern for this delicate manoeuvre is mere millimetres.
"It's the engineering equivalent of keyhole surgery, or a ship in a bottle."
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said more than 450 individually cast concrete segments have been made and are being delivered to site to construct the mezzanine using a mobile gantry from inside a cavern, demonstrating just how mammoth a task it is to build.
"A total of 7,700 good jobs will be supported over the life of the mega project – that's good news for the Queensland economy and for local suppliers," he said.
Mr Bailey said the project's three remaining underground stations were also well progressed, with mezzanine beams due to start being installed at Boggo Road, Roma Street and Albert Street later this year.
Meanwhile, he said the rolling program to rebuild six southside stations being delivered as part of Cross River Rail was also progressing, with Rocklea the next to close from Monday 12 September to late 2023 to allow for the works to be carried out safely and efficiently.
"The stations between Fairfield and Salisbury are some of the oldest on the entire South East Queensland rail network and are in definite need of upgrades to improve accessibility and passenger amenities," Mr Bailey said.
"With work nearing completion at Yeronga and progressing well at Fairfield, Rocklea is the next station in line for a much-needed upgrade.
"On 12 September the station will close until late 2023 to ensure all construction, including a new station building and new lifts, is completed prior to reopening.
"During the closure, customers will still be able to use neighbouring Salisbury and Moorooka stations or bus services, including the StationLink route 109 bus between Rocklea station and the PA Hospital busway station."
Member for Toohey Peter Russo was excited for the works at Rocklea to begin, which would transform how locals travelled.
"This section of the train line has largely remained unchanged for decades so this will be the first big upgrade many locals and regular commuters will get to experience," Mr Russo said.
"The benefits of having an all new, safer station that can be easily accessed by all are unmeasurable, and I look forward to seeing the work get underway.
"I will continue to keep my community up to date on changes to travel as they occur to ensure the station closure runs smoothly for local commuters."
Mezzanine beam fast facts:
- All up, about 458 individual segments are being cast to make the mezzanine beams at Woolloongabba (up to three segments used per beam).
- Each precast beam weighs between 65 to 70 tonnes, and are comprised of up to three segments each (weighing between 20 to 25 tonnes).
- To install the beams:
- Individual segments are delivered to site.
- Beams are pre-assembled using stressing cables (full beam of three segments) or steel strut (two single segments attached to a steel central beam for lifting operations).
- Assembled beams are lifted down into the station box by a crawler crane with an 800-tonne lift capacity.
- The beam is loaded onto the segment transporter, moved into the cavern and delivered to the segment loader.
- The beams are then lifted by the segment loader and rotated into position for installation.
- Lifting beams with a mobile gantry from inside a cavern in this way is a world first.
Rocklea station rebuild fast facts:
- Rocklea is one of six southside stations between Fairfield and Salisbury being rebuilt as part of the Cross River Rail project.
- Rocklea station will close from Monday 12 September until late 2023.
- Station features will include an additional (third) platform to accommodate increased service capacity; a new station building; upgrades to platform finishes, including digital information screens; a new overpass and three new lifts; a new enclosed bicycle shelter; and a new shade canopy on each platform.
- Alternative travel options are available to support customers during the closure, including StationLink route 109 and route 116 from Brooke Street and routes 598 and 599 on Muriel Avenue. To continue travelling by train, use the park 'n' ride at Salisbury station.
