Work has started on another park ‘n’ ride facility that is set to provide commuters with improved access to train services.
Construction of a 50-space car park has started at Nambour, to complement a 300-space car park already being built at Landsborough.
They are part of early works for stage one of the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (B2N) project – a $550m initiative designed to add rail capacity, improve reliability and reduce travel times for passenger and freight services.
The new facility at Nambour will include parking spaces on the eastern side of the train station, at the corner of Mill Street and Civic Way.
Residents and road users can expect local traffic changes, including reduced speed limits and minor traffic disruptions to ensure the safety of motorists and workers.
Construction of the facility was expected to take place between February and mid-2023, weather and conditions permitting.
Work is also well underway for the new park ‘n’ ride facility and bus interchange at Landsborough, and the realignment of a 1km section of Steve Irwin Way, south of Glass House Mountains, in preparation for rail duplication and realignment.
The Landsborough park ‘n’ ride expansion will provide 300 parking spaces on the eastern side of the station, removing the need for people to cross the level crossing to park.
Buses to the Sunshine Coast will also use the new facility.
Work at Landsborough and Steve Irwin Way is well advanced, with completion expected in mid-2023.
Stage one of the B2N project is set to cost $550.8m, with the Australian Government committing $390 million and the Queensland Government committing $160.8 million.
Stage one main works will duplicate the rail line between Beerburrum and Beerwah, build three new road-over-rail bridges, remove level crossings, and expand the park ‘n’ ride facility at Beerburrum.
The upgrade investment is estimated to support 333 direct jobs.
Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development Anthony Chisholm said the B2N project “will boost the north-south rail corridor”.
“The upgrade is a vital infrastructure project that will increase capacity and improve reliability for passenger and freight services,” he said.
“Park ‘n’ rides will make it easier for people of the Sunshine Coast to catch public transport, which is great news for commuters”
“Better access will, in turn, help alleviate pressure on the Bruce Highway.”
State Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said the new car parks would be much-needed.
“The existing park ‘n’ ride facilities at Landsborough and Nambour are insufficient to meet forecast demand and there is limited on-street parking near the stations,” he said.
“Park ‘n’ ride facilities are an important element of the transport network and allow customers to connect with public transport, although we also actively encourage walking, bike riding and using connecting public transport options where possible.”
The early works were being undertaken by locally owned and operated Hall Contracting.
For up-to-date information on the project, visit Transport and Main Roads.
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