Residents and visitors will soon be able to get an exclusive first look inside Brisbane's new underground Roma Street station, one of the largest and most significant public transport projects ever undertaken in Queensland. The preview forms part of community engagement activities ahead of the opening of the long-awaited Cross River Rail network in 2026.
The new station sits at the heart of the $6 billion-plus Cross River Rail project, which is designed to transform rail travel across South East Queensland. Once operational, Roma Street will become Queensland's most important transport interchange, connecting suburban rail services, regional trains, long-distance coaches, the busway network and future Brisbane Metro services.
The underground station has been described by transport officials as Brisbane's future "Grand Central." Built approximately 27 metres below ground level, it features large underground platforms, expansive concourse areas, high-capacity escalators and lifts, and direct connections to the existing Roma Street transport hub. The station is expected to handle more than 46,000 passengers daily by 2036.
Visitors attending the public preview will be able to walk through areas normally reserved for passengers and gain an understanding of the scale of the infrastructure. The station includes a large public plaza, modern architectural features, extensive accessibility facilities and major Indigenous artwork installations that form part of the Cross River Rail station design. Four significant artworks by renowned Queensland Indigenous artists have been incorporated into the Roma Street precinct.
The development has transformed a large section of Brisbane's transport precinct. The former Brisbane Transit Centre was demolished to make way for a new station entrance and public plaza designed to improve pedestrian movement and transport connections throughout the CBD. The project also aims to better connect surrounding destinations including Roma Street Parkland, Caxton Street, the cultural precinct at South Bank and nearby entertainment venues.
Cross River Rail is considered one of the most important infrastructure projects in Queensland's history. The 10.2-kilometre rail line includes new underground tunnels beneath the Brisbane River and four new underground stations. The project is expected to significantly increase rail capacity, reduce congestion and support Brisbane's long-term growth, particularly in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Transport planners believe the new station will become a landmark destination in its own right due to its scale, architectural design and role within Brisbane's future transport network. The preview event provides the public with an opportunity to experience the station before regular passenger services commence.
The opening of Roma Street's underground station is expected to mark a major milestone for Brisbane's transport system, delivering improved connectivity and capacity for decades to come while supporting the city's rapid population growth and future economic development.
