Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Queensland Rail and the Transport and Main Roads department had determined the system was now reliable and it was safe to take the final step in linking it to the existing rail network.
Preparations are now underway ahead of the closure of the Caboolture line between Zillmere and Caboolture from 9pm on Friday, September 16 until 2am on Friday, September 23.
“To connect this line we will need to close the Caboolture line for six days which will be one of the largest rail line closures to ever take place in Southeast Queensland,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“We know that this will be a major disruption for commuters who travel between Caboolture and Zillmere on the train line, but it is absolutely critical work to allow us to make this historic rail line a reality for the people of the Moreton Bay region.”
Mr Hinchliffe said more than 200 buses would be used to transport affected commuters and he encouraged people to work from home, where possible.
He said there would be widespread advertising, signage, online notices, on-board and station announcements and staff on the ground to inform commuters.
“Extra station staff will be available at stations and bus connections to assist passengers and temporary timetables will be available for the closure,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“We have taken measures to limit the inconvenience for customers however we ask that regular Caboolture line customers take note of this substantial closure and have alternative options in place where possible.
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland said news the rail line was inching closer to opening was welcome.
“I’d like to thank residents for their perseverance because it’s been very frustrating for people to see a $1 billion piece of infrastructure sitting unused,” he said.
Cr Sutherland said it would be worth the wait and something for whole community to celebrate.
He said the 5-6 day shutdown was always going to have to happen and was not the result of the signalling issue.
“That’s just the medicine we have to take. We can’t avoid that,” he said.
“We’re going to have to work together as a community.”
He hoped the line would open “shortly after” the shutdown, but said he had not yet been given a date.
Alternate bus services will be available between Zillmere and Caboolture, for passengers during the closure with bus interchanges at Elimbah, Caboolture and Boondall stations.
During peak period buses will be ‘turn up and go’ with express buses available from each station to Boondall station and buses stopping at all stations for intermediate travel.
During off-peak buses will run at 15-minute frequencies with buses running express and stopping at all stations.
Additional train services will also operate on the Shorncliffe line.