Brisbane rail disruptions will require more buses, trucks over summer

Extended closures are required to reconfigure tracks to allow Cross River Rail to bolster the network.

While buses will again be used to ferry passengers, Queensland Rail is having to build a new transfer facility at Pinkenba to limit intermodal freight disruptions.

“The track closures scheduled for January will allow Cross River Rail to undertake critical track and civil works between Bowen Hills and Albion, including flood mitigation works such as track raising which goes towards preventing future freight interruptions,” a Queensland Rail spokeswoman said.

Marianne Kintzel from the Refrigerated Warehouse and Transport Association told 4BC on Thursday the disruptions could cause price hikes and food shortages in regional areas.

Kintzel said the Pinkenba workaround would only support 25 per cent of the freight and double the cost of transport.