Project Timeline

DSTC Stage 1

The Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor Project - Stage 1 is a major initiative of the Queensland Government to service the future needs of the growing western corridor.

This is the first integrated road and rail project of its kind for South East Queensland.

Stage 1 of the project involves:

building a new passenger railway line to Richlands
constructing a railway station at Richlands, north of progress Road
duplicating the Centenary Highway from wo to four lanes north of the Logan Motorway interchange.

Stage 1 is due for completion in 2011.

Construction is now well underway and the aim of this timeline is to highlight some of the major project milestones reached, and those on the Horizon.

Upcoming Milestones

Railway works to commence

Railway line construction works will commence in July 2010. When completed, the 3.6 kilometre line will link the upgraded Darra railway station to the new railway station at Richlands. Track construction is expected to take five months to complete and will be followed by communications and signals work and testing, as well as driver training.

The rail service to Richlands railway station will commence in 2011.

Centenary Highway completion

In August 2010, the 4.5 kilometre stretch of the Centenary Highway between Richlands and Carole Park will be complete. The Centenary Highway will be two lanes in each direction, providing motorists with a smoother commute, and potentially a reduction in travel time.

The completion will be the first of two major transport infrastructure assets, and forms part of Stage 1 of the Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor project, which also includes a railway line from Darra to meet with the new Richlands railway station.

Milestones Achieved

Richlands railway station

May 2010 saw the completion of the new Richlands railway station platform and building structure. Construction is continuing on track and signaling works, building fit-out and communications.

The 160 metre-long platform will cater for six-carriage trains. An undercover footbridge links the concourse to the station building and a lift and stair lobby provide access to the platform below. The station building contains amenities for both passengers and station staff.

Rail services on the new Richlands line are due to start in 2011.

Garden Road on and off-ramps

Residents of the western corridor moved a step closer to accessing better transport infrastructure when the new Garden Road off-ramp from the Centenary Highway opened in January 2010. The new Garden Road on-ramp was officially opened in July 2009.

The 52 metre long off-ramp has been built as a bridge structure to allow the new railway line to run underneath and connect to the Richlands railway station.

The new shared path, which will also run under the off-ramp, will incorporate security lighting to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe.

Opening of first new section of the Centenary Highway

The northbound carriageway of the new Centenary Highway between Julie Road at Carole Park and Progress Road at Richlands was completed in October 2009.

The opening of this new section of the highway means motorists on the Centenary Highway are driving along the new northbound carriageway. Additionally, motorists have been using the new southbound section of the Centenary Highway (between Boundary Road and Progress Road, Richlands) since December 2009.

This construction staging arrangement will allow for the old Centenary Highway to be removed and the new southbound and northbound sections of the Centenary Highway to be constructed. The duplication of the Centenary Highway is on target to be completed in late 2010.

Richlands Railway station car park complete

The first commuter car park for the new Richlands railway station was completed in November 2009.

The two-storey car park is an important part of works on the Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor – Stage 1 and will provide approximately 650 car spaces and seven disabled spaces.

Progress Road overbridge

The new Progress Road overbridge was completed in July 2009.

Situated next to the site of the new Richlands railway station, the bridge forms a critical component of the overall project, increasing the road capacity of the area to cater for increased station traffic.

Richlands station master plan unveiling

The Richlands railway station master plan was unveiling on 14 May 2009.

Cutting edge, sustainable design, combined with practical and effective transport options will ensure the new Richlands station sets a benchmark for rail infrastructure design in south east Queensland.

Sustainable design features include:

energy efficient features, including light-emitting-diode (LED) lighting
water saving features, including the capture of storm water run-off from the station roof into a 120,000 litre underground rainwater tank. The water will be used for amenities, gardens and concourse water features
native, drought tolerant trees and plants, including species selected by the community during public consultation
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design requirements, with CCTV 24 hour surveillance cameras, enhanced night lighting and open landscaping
access and amenities for people with a disability.

Richlands station features include:

84 bicycle lockers
15 bicycle spaces
a bus interchange for four buses
more than 600 car park spaces
15 kiss 'n' ride bays and three taxi set down bays.

Springfield Link bridge

The first major construction milestone was completed in October 2008, with the Springfield Link bridge officially opened to the public.

Prior to the start of construction, the local Springfield and Springfield Lakes community was consulted on the colour scheme and a name for the bridge. Results from the consultation determined the colour scheme of aquamarine and rusty red, and the bridge name of ‘Springfield Link’.

The Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor Project has worked closely with Woodcrest College, Springfield Lakes State School and the Spiritus Early Parent Centre to develop community artwork for the Springfield Link bridge. The theme for the 10m long mosaic is People and Community, which includes aspects of work, play, sport, family, culture, history and the future.

Students from both Woodcrest College and Springfield Lakes State School and representatives from the Spiritus Early Parent Centre, designed and produced the mosaic. The finished artwork appears on the Woodcrest College side of the bridge and is visible from Nev Smith Drive.