With the region’s population set to climb to more than 530,000 by 2031, Moreton Bay is one of Australia’s fastest growing urban areas. The Moreton Bay Rail (MBR) project was the single biggest infrastructure investment in the region and will help reduce congestion between the Redcliffe area and Brisbane through improved public transport. Each full train on the link is estimated to take up to 600 cars off surrounding roads, particularly the busy stretches of the Bruce Highway and Gateway Motorway. The project has also played an important region-building role, with new stations becoming hubs of future development.

The $1.1b project was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments and Moreton Bay Regional Council. As part of the project, Thiess delivered the 1.5km Lawnton to Petrie Fourth Track Project funded by the State Government in partnership with Queensland Rail. This additional project was designed to accommodate the projected increased passenger and freight demand services.