The Cross River Rail project is progressing, recruiting the services of 1500 Queensland-based subcontractors and suppliers and injecting $70 million per month into the economy.
Civil construction company, Formcon, is one of many Queensland subcontractors and suppliers to work on the project so far.
The Yatala-based company, whose previous work on the project has included the tunnel portals – where trains enter and exit the twin tunnels – and station upgrades, is currently completing the concrete and reinforcement works on the new Exhibition station.
So far, the Formcon team – consisting of about 30 crew members, including one apprentice and three trainees – has completed approximately 3,700m³ of the roughly 5700m³ of concrete for the new station, as well as 1000t of approximately 1350t of steel reinforcement.
Formcon’s significant contribution has meant Exhibition station is taking shape, coming on the back of even more progress on site with the new 150m long station canopy installed earlier in November.
When complete, Exhibition station will operate daily – not just for events – providing new rail services to the growing Brisbane Showgrounds precinct and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, said that not only will Cross River Rail transform travel across South East Queensland in the future, but the megaproject is providing real economic benefits to the state now.
“Wherever possible, we’ve looked to use local subbies and suppliers to build Cross River Rail, only looking further afield when specialised equipment or skills makes it necessary,” Mr Bailey said.
“It’s meant great local businesses like Formcon have been able to benefit from the project, helping them to expand and put on more staff.
“Seeing the incredible progress across the sites, including at Exhibition station, is even more exciting when you realise this is a megaproject made for Queenslanders by Queenslanders.
“Thank you to Formcon and all of our suppliers, subcontractors and workforce who are helping to make this transformational project a reality.”
Formcon Managing Director, Steve Pamenter, said that Formcon is incredibly proud to be contributing to a game-changing project the size and scale of Cross River Rail.
“On Exhibition station alone, our crew is undertaking all the form, reinforcement and concrete pouring works, which includes the two rail bridges, station foundations, lift wells, slab on the ground and precast shear walls,” Mr Pamenter said.
“But we’ve had opportunities right across the project, including Albert Street early works, the northern and southern portals, Mayne Yard and Fairfield, Rocklea, Dutton Park, Yeerongpilly and Salisbury stations.
“Our work on Cross River Rail has meant we’ve been able to expand our operations and at the same time reinvest in local resources, materials, plant and equipment.
“We’ve been able to put on apprentices and trainees to help skill the next generation of workers, and our crew is able to work locally without being away from their families and mates.”