The daily travel into Brisbane for residents across Newport, Kippa-Ring and the wider Redcliffe Peninsula has long followed a familiar pattern—limited services, peak-hour congestion and delays tied to inner-city bottlenecks.
That’s set to change with the Cross River Rail, a major transport project that will reshape how trains move through Brisbane and how peninsula locals connect to the city and beyond. The project, linking the northern lines to new underground tunnels beneath the Brisbane River and CBD, will give Redcliffe Peninsula Line passengers a smoother, more direct journey.
What’s being built
Cross River Rail will add 10.2 kilometres of new rail, including 5.9 kilometres of twin tunnels under the river and city. Four new underground stations—Boggo Road Station, Woolloongabba Station, Albert Street Station and Roma Street Station—are part of the project, alongside wider network upgrades.
Construction began in 2017, with tunnels completed in 2021. Testing is now underway, with services expected to begin by 2029.
The Redcliffe Peninsula Line runs from Petrie to Kippa-Ring and has been a key link for locals since opening in 2016. Until now, all trains into the CBD have relied on the Merivale Bridge—Brisbane’s only inner-city rail crossing. This has limited how many services can run and contributed to delays.
Cross River Rail removes that constraint by creating a second rail corridor, allowing more trains to move through the city.
More frequent, more reliable services
One of the biggest changes for Newport and Kippa-Ring residents will be frequency. The expanded network is expected to support up to 24 trains per hour in each direction through the CBD.
This means shorter wait times and more flexibility for commuters. Trains will run more often and with improved reliability, reducing the impact of delays caused by congestion at a single crossing point.
Direct connections across the city
When the project is complete, Brisbane’s rail network will operate in three independent sectors. The Redcliffe Peninsula Line will be paired with southern lines, including the Gold Coast and Beenleigh routes, through the new tunnels.
This means passengers will be able to travel from Kippa-Ring through the CBD to southern destinations without changing trains. The result is a more seamless journey that simplifies commuting and expands access to work, study and leisure.
The benefits extend beyond the daily commute. More reliable public transport can help ease pressure on local roads, particularly during peak periods.
This could mean less congestion and more transport choice for peninsula residents. Improved rail access also makes it easier to move between suburbs, supporting local businesses and community activity across the region.
Published 30-April-2026
