Springfield railway line
{{Short description|Railway line in Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox rail line
|box_width = 22em
|name = Springfield line
|color = 1578BE
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|image = RICHLANDS.jpg
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|caption = Richlands railway station, 2018
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|tracklength = {{convert|16.0|km|abbr=on}}
|tracks = Quadruple to Darra, double track to Springfield Central
|gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}}
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|electrification = 2013
|speed = {{convert|140|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
|website = [http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/ queenslandrail.com.au]
|map = File:Springfield-railway-line-map.png
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}}
Springfield railway line is a {{convert|13.6|km|abbr=on}} suburban railway line in Brisbane, Australia that branches from the Ipswich/Rosewood line after Darra railway station. Construction of the line started on {{nowrap|5 July 2010}}, and it opened on 2 December 2013.{{cite press release |title=Springfield Rail Bonus: Extra Station and $171 Million Saved |publisher=Queensland Government |date=20 February 2011 |url=http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=73684 |access-date=21 February 2011 |archive-date=13 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313021432/http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=73684 |url-status=live }} The line was developed along with the widening of the nearby Centenary Motorway.
The line speed is rated for speeds of up to {{convert|140|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} in most sections. However, only the interurban multiple unit 100 and 120 series and New Generation Rollingstock trains can run at the full speed of the line. The current timetable is based on a top speed of {{convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} between Richlands and Springfield stations, which is faster than the Centenary Motorway that runs alongside.
Services on this line are the busiest on the Brisbane network.{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-17/queensland-coronavirus-workers-students-public-transport/12668210 |title=Queensland commuters stay away from trains despite low coronavirus case numbers |publisher=ABC News |website=abc.net.au |last=Rendall |first=Jessica |date=7 September 2020 |access-date=24 October 2021 |archive-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024045557/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-17/queensland-coronavirus-workers-students-public-transport/12668210 |url-status=live }}
Construction and opening
File:Richlands railway station.jpg, 2011]]
Construction of the first stage of the line, to Richlands, started on {{nowrap|5 July 2010}}, with the first sleeper being laid at Darra on the Ipswich line.{{cite news |title=Work on rail link begins |first=Christopher |last=O'leary |publisher=South-West News |date=7 July 2010}} The line was developed along with the widening of the nearby Centenary Motorway from two to four lanes from Darra through to the Logan Motorway.{{cite news |title=Budget plans to fast track rail line to Springfield |first=Tony |last=Moore |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/budget-plans-to-fast-track-rail-line-to-springfield-20100604-xkk6.html |work=Brisbane Times |date=7 June 2010 |access-date=7 June 2010 |archive-date=8 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608153457/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/budget-plans-to-fast-track-rail-line-to-springfield-20100604-xkk6.html |url-status=live }} The original completion date was for 2015.{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-06-07/government-fast-tracks-springfield-rail-line/856906 |title=Government fast-tracks Springfield rail line |publisher=ABC News |website=abc.net.au |date=7 June 2010 |author1=Chris O'Brien |author2=Emma Pollard |access-date=24 October 2021 |archive-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024045556/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-06-07/government-fast-tracks-springfield-rail-line/856906 |url-status=live }} However this was bought forward to 2013.
Construction of the first station on the line, Richlands, started on {{nowrap|{{start date|2008|07|01|df=yes}}}},{{cite press release |title=$800 million project offers transport choices |publisher=Queensland Government |date=1 July 2008 |url=http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/mms/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=58934 |access-date=11 January 2011 |archive-date=10 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610033943/http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/mms/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=58934 |url-status=live }} and the line was due to begin service on {{nowrap|{{start date|2011|01|23|df=yes}}}} without service from Darra to the City due to scheduled maintenance works on the Ipswich line.{{cite news |title=The train station with no trains |first=Daniel |last=Hurst |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/the-train-station-with-no-trains-20110105-19g54.html |work=Brisbane Times |date=6 January 2011 |access-date=11 January 2011 |archive-date=7 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107072642/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/the-train-station-with-no-trains-20110105-19g54.html |url-status=live }}
The opening was brought forward to {{nowrap|{{start date|2011|01|17|df=yes}}}} to assist travellers from further west who could not use the Ipswich line, which was out of service due to Queensland floods.{{cite news |title=New train station to open early |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/new-train-station-to-open-early-20110116-19s6g.html |work=Brisbane Times |date=16 January 2011 |access-date=16 January 2011 |archive-date=17 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117153149/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/new-train-station-to-open-early-20110116-19s6g.html |url-status=live }}
On {{nowrap|{{start date|2011|10|23|df=yes}}}}, work started on the second stage of the line to Springfield. The station originally proposed as Springfield Lakes station was renamed Springfield, and the one proposed as Springfield station renamed Springfield Central.{{cite news|title=Work underway on Springfield rail link|url=http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/media-releases/release/410|publisher=TransLink|date=24 October 2011|access-date=24 October 2011|archive-date=28 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028204354/http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/media-releases/release/410|url-status=live}}
The extension to Springfield Central began service on 2 December 2013.
A proposal exists to extend the line from its present terminus at Springfield Central to Redbank Plains,{{cite news |title=Push for rail in Redbank Plains |first=Zane |last=Jackson |url=http://www.qt.com.au/story/2011/08/10/push-to-bring-rail-to-redbank-plains/ |work=The Queensland Times |date=10 August 2011 |access-date=26 October 2011 |archive-date=9 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909094035/http://www.qt.com.au/story/2011/08/10/push-to-bring-rail-to-redbank-plains/ |url-status=live }} Ripley Valley, Yamanto, and Ipswich station.Kieran Banks (2 December 2013). [http://www.qt.com.au/news/fasttrack-togrowth-springfield-train-line-is-opene/2101332/ Fast track to growth: Springfield train line is opened] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423181808/https://www.qt.com.au/news/fasttrack-togrowth-springfield-train-line-is-opene/2101332/ |date=23 April 2019 }}. The Queensland Times. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
Route
File:Springfield railway line viaduct over bushland at Forest Lake, Queensland.jpg
Passengers would change for or from the Ipswich and Rosewood lines at Darra; Beenleigh, Gold Coast and Cleveland lines at Roma Street; and all other lines at Central.
The route crosses the interchange between the Logan Motorway and Centenary Motorway on a two-track viaduct more than {{Convert|800|m}} long. The viaduct has been designed so that its piers do not obstruct planned expansions of both roads.{{cite book |title=Multi-Span Large Bridges: International Conference on Multi-Span Large Bridges, 1-3 July 2015, Porto, Portugal |last=Pacheco |first=Pedro |author2=Filipe Magalhaes |year=2015 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=9781315687193 |page=480 |url=https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=r8sdCgAAQBAJ |access-date=16 October 2016 |archive-date=29 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029150828/https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=r8sdCgAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}
{{Springfield railway line|float=none}}
Proposed extensions
{{Routemap
|title=Extensions proposed in the Connecting SEQ 2031 plan
|collapsible=1
|map=
CONTg\~~Continues to Darra and Brisbane City~~
KBHFxe\BUS~~Springfield Central~~(3)
exSKRZ-G4o\~~Augusta Parkway~~
exHST\~~Augustine Heights~~(3)
exBHF\~~Redbank Plains~~(3)
exLSTR\
exHST\~~Swanbank~~(3)
exLSTR\
exHST\~~South Ripley~~(3)
exLSTR\
exBHF\~~Ripley~~(3)
exHST\~~Deebing Heights~~(3)
exhSTRa@f\
exhSKRZ-A\~~Cunningham Highway~~
exhHST\~~Yamanto~~(3)
exhSKRZ-G2e\~~Warwick Road~~
exHST\~~Churchill~~(3)
exSKRZ-GDo\
exHST\~~USQ Ipswich~~(3)
exSKRZ-G1u\~~Brisbane Street~~
xABZg+l\CONTfq~~Main Line to Rosewood Station~~
ACC\BUS~~Ipswich~~(3)
CONTf\~~Continues to Darra and Brisbane City~~
}}
In the Connecting SEQ 2031 Plan, the QLD Government has listed an UrbanLink high frequency (15min) service running from Darra to Springfield, and on to Redbank Plains via Augustine Heights, as an extension to the existing Springfield Line. It also talks about an ExpressLink (30min frequency) between Ipswich and Ripley, via UQ Ipswich (now USQ Ipswich), Churchill, Yamanto and Deebing Heights; with the vital corridor between Ripley and Redbank plains being reserved for a later time after 2031. In 2019, the City of Ipswich completed an overview of the Ipswich Central to Springfield Central public transport corridor with a focus on the proposed extension.{{cite web|title=Ipswich Central to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor|url=https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/111078/Ipswich-to-Springfield-Public-Transport-Corridor.pdf|access-date=7 October 2020|archive-date=26 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326010434/https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/111078/Ipswich-to-Springfield-Public-Transport-Corridor.pdf|url-status=live}}
See also
{{stack|{{Portal|Queensland|Railways}}}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/NetworkServices/ConstructionUpgrades/MajorInfrastructure/CompletedProjects/Pages/DarratoSpringfieldTransportCorridorStage1.aspx Queensland Rail – Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor – Stage 1]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140125200951/http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/NetworkServices/ConstructionUpgrades/MajorInfrastructure/CurrentProjects/DarratoSpringfield/Pages/DarratoSpringfieldTransportCorridor-Stage2.aspx Queensland Rail – Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor – Stage 2]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20101224004449/http://translink.com.au/travel-information/services-and-timetables/trains Translink – About trains]
- {{Queensland Timetables|Train Network}}
{{Public transport in Queensland}}
Category:Brisbane railway lines
Category:Public transport in Brisbane
Category:2013 establishments in Australia