Brighton Transport Hub
{{Short description|Intermodal transport hub in Hobart, Tasmania}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox port
|name = Brighton Transport Hub
|image = Hbt T hub 060514.jpg
|caption =
|location = Brighton, Tasmania
|coordinates = {{coord|42|42|52.16|S|147|13|46.55|E|}}
|size = 50 hectares
|built = 30 July 2014
|type = dry port
|operated = TasRail
Toll Group
|platforms = 2
|lines = South Line
|gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm}}
|streets = Brighton Bypass
|trucks = B-Double}}
The Brighton Transport Hub is an intermodal transport hub in the northern Hobart suburb of Brighton operated by TasRail.
History
The idea of building the Brighton Transport Hub (BTH) to replace the outdated and congested TasRail intermodal terminal at Macquarie Point in the Hobart city centre was included in the Southern Transport Investment Program of 2007.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150309211242/https://www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/89195/Southern_Transport_Investment_Program_Internet_FINAL_COMBINED.pdf Southern Tasmania, National Transport Network Investment Program 2007-2015] Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources June 2007
Macquarie Point featured many short holding tracks that prevented trains being moved as a single continuous vehicle which caused extensive shunting throughout loading operations. These delays occurred in addition to long travel times south of Bridgewater, where the main South railway line followed the River Derwent through Hobart's northern suburbs, across 21 level crossings which required slow train speeds.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110313072617/http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/ctee/REPORTS/Brighton%20Hub.pdf Brighton Transport Hub Project] Parliament of Tasmania 2008[https://web.archive.org/web/20091030181104/http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/infrastructure_projects/brighton_transport_projects/brighton_transport_hub_project Brighton Transport Hub] Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources
The Macquarie Point site featured a poor quality surface with uneven levels which created difficulties for the loading, unloading and manoeuvring of freight across the site. The site configuration did not allow for efficient truck consolidation and deconsolidation and added to the delays borne by transport companies waiting for containers to be unloaded.The Brighton Transport Hub Tasmanian Rail News issue 245 August 2010 pages 12-17 It closed on 22 June 2014.[https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/end-of-the-line-for-tasrails-last-train-out-of-hobart/news-story/72a4291421212e7ae7e380982a4dc92d End of the line for TasRail’s last train out of Hobart] The Mercury 22 June 2014Hobart closure Tasmanian Rail News issue 255 October 2014 page 2
The BTH site, 25 kilometres north of Macquarie Point, was chosen as the preferred site of the inland port because of its close proximity to the Midland Highway and the South railway line. It allows freight to be easily transferred between road and rail transport and enable efficient movement of freight between Tasmania's southern and northern ports.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110228044855/http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2009/April/AA129_2009.htm Largest ever transport infrastructure projects in Tasmania - Get underway] Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government 21 April 2009
The BTH was built in conjunction with the Brighton Bypass from 2009 by a John Holland / Hazell Bros consortium.[https://web.archive.org/web/20200408104645/http://brightoncommunitynews.com.au/transport-hub-operator-sought/184/ Transport hub operator sought] Brighton Council 5 June 2009[https://web.archive.org/web/20091018070539/http://www.lgat.tas.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/12_July_2009_-_Roads___Engineering.pdf Brighton Bypass and Transport Hub Underway] Local Government Association of Tasmania July 2009[https://web.archive.org/web/20160227184332/http://hazellbros.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2011-Brighton-Bypass.pdfBrighton Bypass Southern Section and Transport Hub] Hazell Bros In December 2012, Toll Group announced it would relocate from Macquarie Point to the BTH.[https://www.fullyloaded.com.au/industry-news/1212/toll-commits-to-new-brighton-transport-hub Toll commits to new Brighton transport hub] Australasian Transport News 12 December 2012Toll starts work on $24m Tasmanian freight terminal Track & Signal issue 17/4 November 2013 page 19 It opened on 30 July 2014.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140802125622/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-30/toll-holdings-opens-new-headquarters-at-brighton-transport-hub/5636452 Toll Holdings opens new headquarters at Brighton Transport Hub] ABC News 30 July 2014[https://web.archive.org/web/20150301041604/http://www.tasrail.com.au/media-releases/2014/08/01/tasrail-brighton-hub/ TasRail Brighton Yard] TasRail 30 July 2014[https://web.archive.org/web/20170219080246/https://www.tasrail.com.au/brighton-transport-hub Brighton Transport Hub] TasRail
References
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