More Trains, Shorter Trips: What the Cross River Rail Means for the Redcliffe Peninsula Line

The Redcliffe Peninsula Line is on track to become one of the biggest winners from Brisbane’s Cross River Rail project, with more direct services and improved reliability set to change how thousands of residents commute between the peninsula and the city. By linking the northern line to new underground tunnels beneath the Brisbane River and CBD, the project will give Redcliffe passengers a smoother run through the city and onwards to the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast without the usual bottlenecks.

Services are expected to commence by 2029, following testing and commissioning phases now underway. Early works began in 2017, with main delivery contracts finalised in 2019 and tunnel boring launched in 2021. Tunnel breakthroughs were achieved in December 2021.

Project Timeline and Delivery

The Cross River Rail project covers 10.2 kilometres of new rail, including 5.9 kilometres of twin tunnels. Four underground stations—Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street—are under construction, alongside upgrades to Exhibition and seven suburban stations between Dutton Park and Salisbury. Three new Gold Coast stations at Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac are also underway, with modernised signalling being introduced across the network.

A Growing Role for the Redcliffe Peninsula Line

The 12.6-kilometre dual-track Redcliffe Peninsula Line runs from Petrie to Kippa-Ring and serves six stations: Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Mango Hill, Mango Hill East, Rothwell and Kippa-Ring. Since its opening in 2016, the line has quickly become a key part of Brisbane’s northside transport network. Before it was built, residents relied heavily on buses and road travel. With the Cross River Rail project, the line will gain a new level of connectivity, offering many services that continue through the CBD and onto major southern routes.

Transport authorities have said the Merivale Bridge, Brisbane’s only existing inner-city rail crossing, has long restricted how many trains can move through the CBD. The Cross River Rail project is designed to remove that limitation and allow more services to run on lines such as the Redcliffe Peninsula.

Frequency and Reliability Gains

One of the main benefits for Redcliffe passengers will be more frequent trains. The current rail network is limited by the single Merivale Bridge crossing, which constrains the number of services through the CBD. Once Cross River Rail is complete, the network will have a second spine, enabling up to 24 trains per hour in each direction.

Cross River Rail planners have explained that this capacity increase means trains on the Redcliffe Peninsula Line can run more often and on a more dependable timetable, reducing wait times for commuters.

Community Benefits

The impacts of these changes extend beyond commuting. More frequent and reliable trains are expected to ease pressure on local roads and provide residents with greater certainty in their daily travel. Shorter, more dependable trips will also support local businesses, as people can travel more easily to work, study or leisure in the CBD and surrounding suburbs.

Project updates have emphasised that these improvements will cut travel times for commuters from Kippa-Ring and surrounding suburbs. Authorities have noted that quicker and more reliable journeys will encourage more people to use rail instead of driving.

Future Network Integration

When Cross River Rail opens, Brisbane’s rail network will be divided into three independent sectors. Under this plan, the Redcliffe Peninsula Line is part of Sector 1, paired north–south via the new tunnels with the Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines.

Transport officials have stated that this direct link will create a single, seamless service across the city. For passengers, it means boarding at Kippa-Ring and travelling through to southern destinations without a transfer in the CBD. This through-running model creates a more convenient travel experience, making public transport a stronger alternative to driving.

South East Queensland’s population growth makes it vital to invest in stronger rail connections. Cross River Rail project as a way of ensuring that communities such as Redcliffe can cope with increased demand in the decades ahead.

Q&A: What Cross River Rail Means for the Redcliffe Peninsula Line

What is Cross River Rail?
Cross River Rail is a new 10.2-kilometre rail line being built in Brisbane, including 5.9 kilometres of tunnels under the Brisbane River and the CBD. It adds four new underground stations and upgrades several others to expand the whole South East Queensland rail network.

Why does it matter for the Redcliffe Peninsula Line?
Right now, all trains into the city share a single river crossing at the Merivale Bridge, which limits how many services can run. Cross River Rail will add a second crossing, making it possible for more trains from the Redcliffe Peninsula to reach the city more quickly and reliably.

Which stations will benefit?
Commuters from Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Mango Hill, Mango Hill East, Rothwell and Kippa-Ring will have access to more frequent services that continue through the city and connect directly to the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast lines.

When will it be ready?
Services are planned to begin by 2029, after testing and commissioning are complete.

How will it change daily travel?
For many passengers, it will mean less waiting, fewer delays and shorter trips into the CBD. The changes also reduce pressure on local roads, making travel easier for the whole community.