Thursday 15 March 2012
- Beenleigh & Gold Coast lines: Roma Street-Yeerongpilly stations
- Ipswich/Rosewood & Richlands lines – Roma Street to Corinda stations
- Cleveland line – Roma Street to Murarrie stations
From first train on Saturday, March 17 to the last train on Sunday 18 March
Buses will replace trains on parts of the Beenleigh, Ipswich/Rosewood and Cleveland lines this weekend while Queensland Rail undertakes essential maintenance work.
Queensland Rail Chief Operating Officer Theo Taifalos said the closure of tracks immediately south and west of Roma Street station would ensure this vital rail corridor operates to a reliable standard, improving access to CBD stations.
"This closure was scheduled in more than six months ago and is part of our regular planned network closures to conduct necessary maintenance," Mr Taifalos said.
"As part of this scheduled closure we will ensure we prioritise reviewing and repairing issues related to recent disruptions on the City network.
"This means we will be putting vegetation management and overhead line infrastructure inspections under the microscope during the closure.
"Work will also be undertaken on signalling, power maintenance and graffiti removal during this time.
"Customers travelling on any of these lines should allow an extra 60 minutes to travel this weekend.
"Airport line trains will run a normal schedule between Central station and airport stations, but customers travelling from the Gold Coast will need to allow extra time.
"We regret the inconvenience caused to customers travelling between these stations this weekend, however, the closure is essential to carry out necessary maintenance and improve the reliability of the rail network."
Buses will operate to all stations from Central to Yeerongpilly, Central to Corinda and Central to Murarrie stations.
People attending the following events should plan their journey with the closure in mind:
- Sheffield Shield final at The Gabba against Tasmania from Friday to Tuesday
- Gold Coast Titans vs Melbourne Storm game at Skilled Park on Saturday night
- Duran Duran concert at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday night.
Mr Taifalos said the Scheduled Corridor Access Scheme (SCAS) was introduced in 2011 to reduce the number of ad hoc closures throughout the network.
"Each SCAS closure is planned and managed as an integrated shutdown – combining all construction and maintenance works," he said.
"Under this program, the SEQ network is divided into seven zones and closures are scheduled in each zone four times a year on weekends.
"This program is considered best practice in asset management and is used successfully by many rail networks around the world.
"Queensland Rail has increased its maintenance expenditure by more than $30 million dollars since the 2008-2009 financial year, with $84.4 million earmarked for the current financial year."
Customers with a disability should phone 3606 5555 or SMS 0428 774 636 for assistance.
Normal train services will return to normal from the first morning services on Monday (19 March).
For more information about public transport, visit translink.com.au or phone 13 12 30, anytime.