Project

Salisbury Station Upgrade – Cross River Rail

Client:

Unity

Location:

Salisbury, QLD

Completion:

On track for mid-2025

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Project Overview

In late 2023, Neumann Contractors was awarded a major fabrication and installation package for the Salisbury Station Upgrade — part of Queensland’s Cross River Rail project. This upgrade is all about improving accessibility and functionality for one of Brisbane’s key suburban stations. A standout feature of the project is the new 55-metre pedestrian footbridge, installed in just two crane lifts during a tight rail corridor shutdown. The bridge was lifted in over active railway lines, highlighting the level of planning, precision, and teamwork required to pull it off safely and efficiently.

Scope & Solution

The scope includes the full perimeter fencing along the tight rail corridor. Challenges such as restricted site access and large component handling were addressed using modular off-site assembly and carefully planned logistics for efficient installation.

A standout feature of the project is the new 55-metre pedestrian footbridge, installed in just two crane lifts during a tight rail corridor shutdown. The bridge was lifted in over active railway lines, highlighting the level of planning, precision, and teamwork required to pull it off safely and efficiently.
Neumann’s scope for Salisbury Station includes:

Fabrication and installation of 4 lift shafts (with precast concrete components)
Canopies for Platforms 1, 2, and 3
4 switchback stair structures
Entrance canopy structures

This work combines architectural detailing with complex structural steel, all delivered in a high-pressure, rail environment.

How We Delivered

Modular Build at Currumbin
Our Currumbin yard played a huge role in this job. The large hardstand area meant we could pre-assemble most of the structures before they left the workshop. Secondary trades were brought in to complete finishing works in a safer, controlled environment offsite — which made the on-site install far quicker and smoother.

Collaborative Design Approach & Overcoming Challenges
We held weekly design and coordination meetings with Unity Alliance’s architects and site teams. Having our drafting and project teams in those sessions meant RFIs were dealt with quickly, and issues were solved before they became problems on site. It’s a method we’ve found really works — and it showed on this job.

Transporting the Bridge:
The pedestrian bridge wasn’t just long — it was tall too. Getting it to site required detailed logistics planning, with police escorts and special permits arranged for a 1am move, ensuring it arrived on site ready for a 6am lift.

Rail Corridor Constraints:
Most of our works were delivered during SCAS (Scheduled Corridor Access System) windows — the tight periods when Queensland Rail shuts down tracks. This left zero room for error and required our teams to work with absolute precision.

Tight Tolerances & Trade Coordination:
As with any rail project, there were many moving parts. We worked closely with follow-on trades to make sure the design allowed for smooth handovers and real-world constructability. It’s one thing to model it — another to make it work on site. We made sure both lined up.

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Looking Ahead

With completion on track for mid-2025, the Salisbury Station Upgrade is shaping up to be another great example of Neumann’s capability in large-scale infrastructure fabrication. From early modelling to final install, our team has delivered with precision, flexibility, and a focus on getting the job done right.