Cross River Rail reaches major milestone at Albert Street station

The Cross River Rail project has reached a significant milestone in Brisbane's CBD, with major construction progress now visible at the new Albert Street underground station.

Work at the site has accelerated, with the station canopy taking shape above ground and Queensland's longest escalator installed below, marking a return to high productivity across the project.

The 153-tonne canopy, which will shade a new public plaza at the station's main entrance, is now clearly visible from Albert Street. Sections of the Albert Street green spine - a subtropical boulevard stretching between Mary and Elizabeth streets and featuring outdoor dining - have also opened to the public.

Underground, construction continues at pace, including the installation of a more than 37-metre-long escalator at the station's northern entrance near Queen Street. A total of 29 escalators have now been installed at Albert Street, the highest number of any underground station on the Cross River Rail network.

Albert Street will be Brisbane's first new CBD train station in more than 120 years. First passenger services on the Cross River Rail line are expected to begin in 2029, following significant cost and schedule overruns under the former Labor Government. The Crisafulli Government has confirmed the project's final cost at $19.041 billion, compared with Labor's original $5.4 billion estimate and 2024 completion date.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg said the milestone demonstrated the Crisafulli Government's commitment to delivering essential transport infrastructure.

"We're getting on with the job of delivering Cross River Rail's Albert Street station after a challenging period for the project, including more than 140 days lost to protected industrial action," Minister Mickelberg said.

"We've worked hard to restore momentum, and the progress is clear - the canopy is in place, the plaza is taking shape, and the station is moving closer to completion.

"With projects such as Cross River Rail, Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail, and The Wave on the Sunshine Coast, we're building the public transport network Queenslanders need for 2032 and beyond."

Cross River Rail Delivery Authority chief executive Graeme Newton said Albert Street station would become a defining inner-city landmark.

"It's exciting to see the station coming to life in the heart of the CBD," Mr Newton said.

"Beyond the tunnels and stations, our teams are also undertaking essential works across the wider rail network during the quieter holiday period, including signalling upgrades, drainage improvements and new track formation.

"We recognise these works may cause some inconvenience, which is why they're scheduled during school holidays when fewer customers are travelling. We encourage passengers to plan ahead and allow extra time if they need to travel."