Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has committed $40 million towards reducing congestion and boosting safety at the Coopers Plains open level crossing on Brisbane’s southside.
Cr Schrinner said while rail infrastructure was a State Government responsibility, the Coopers Plains rail crossing needed fixing now and Brisbane City Council didn’t want residents to be left waiting for this critical project any longer.
“We are taking real action on traffic congestion and this $40 million contribution to the State Government’s project to upgrade the rail crossing will mean residents are able to get home quicker and safer,” he said.
“The rail crossing at Coopers Plains is known as being one of the worst level crossings in Queensland and the frequency of trains at this significant rail crossing is severely impacting on congestion.
“While rail open level crossings are, and always have been, a State Government responsibility, I don’t want to see residents getting stuck and frustrated at these crossings any longer.
“This is not just about easing congestion, it’s also about increasing the safety for all road users.”
Cr Schrinner said the State Government had currently only committed to a planning study for the Coopers Plains crossing and hoped Council’s $40 million boost on top of the Federal Government’s $73 million commitment would see the fix delivered as soon as possible.
“Residents have been waiting for the State Government to fix this rail crossing for too long, they need to get on with the planning works and deliver this project,” he said.
“The Council and Federal Government have committed funds – the ball is in the Palaszczuk Government’s court now.
“I look forward to the State Government finalising its plan, commencing consultation with the community and upgrading the Coopers Plains open level crossing.”
Cr Schrinner said residents had been calling for the Coopers Plains level crossing to be fixed for years.
“This has been issue for a long time, and I am standing up for the safety of the community with this $40 million commitment, but ultimately it’s got to be the State Government who delivers this project,” he said.
“I want residents to spend less time stuck in congestion and more time doing what they love.
“People have the right to be able to travel around Brisbane safely and the removal of this rail crossing will significantly increase safety for residents.”
Council also committed $40 million toward the State Government’s upgrade to the Lindum Road rail crossing in April 2019.