No commuters will ride Cross River Rail trains until mid 2025

Now they say the multibillion-dollar project will not open to the public until mid-2025.

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During budget estimates, Mr Bailey said construction would be finished in 2024 followed by the rollout and testing of a “complex” signalling system before passengers would be allowed to board trains in 2025.

“A detailed phase of live testing and commissioning will be undertaken before passenger services commence,” Mr Bailey said in response to a question during budget estimates.

“Cross River Rail services are expected to be operational from 2025.”

The Transport Minister’s office deferred questions about the date change to the CRRDA.

“It has been noted publicly on multiple occasions that major Cross River Rail construction works are due to be completed in 2024 – this remains the case,” a CRRDA spokesman said.

“Following construction, an extensive safety testing and commissioning phase will commence.

“As has been stated previously, Cross River Rail passenger services are expected to be operational in 2025.”

Opposition transport spokesman Steve Minnikin said “this project is delayed and its budget in question”.

“Gold Coast lines will be delayed during construction and there is serious doubt on whether there will be enough trains once it opens.”

Brisbane Times previously revealed a rail infrastructure expert who worked on the project had asked the Auditor-General to investigate his claims Cross River Rail could not deliver the additional trains it has promised.

The $5.4 billion project has come to the end of its first year of major construction, with 11 new worksites open.

Excavation machines will begin their journey from Woolloongabba to the heart of the CBD in the new year.

“Excavation of the underground stations commenced this year, following the progressive arrival of roadheaders to each of these worksites from May,” Mr Bailey said.

“Excavation of the Woolloongabba station box – over 30 metres below ground level – was completed in November 2020, and the decline is nearing completion, ready for the arrival of the two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) during December.”

Mr Bailey said 2021 would be “the year of tunnelling” for the Cross River Rail project, with the boring machines launching from Woolloongabba in February.

“These machines will tunnel under the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, under the Brisbane River, and to break through to the Albert Street cavern in mid-2021.

“The TBMs will then continue to the new Roma Street station and emerge at the northern portal at Normanby in late 2021.”