CPB Contractors, in partnership with Transport Australia, recently welcomed more than 50 engineers at the association’s Emerging Leaders Forum in Brisbane, providing the next generation of infrastructure professionals with a unique opportunity to hear firsthand about the delivery of Cross River Rail and the lasting legacy it will leave for Queensland.
Speaking to the group, CPB Contractors Queensland General Manager Vince Sanfilippo reflected on the scale, complexity and significance of the project, highlighting that while Cross River Rail will transform the way people move around South East Queensland, its legacy extends far beyond the physical infrastructure.
As one of the largest and most complex infrastructure projects ever delivered in the state, Cross River Rail is creating a legacy in three key areas: network capacity, city transformation and people.
Unlocking capacity for a growing Queensland
At its core, Cross River Rail is about creating the capacity Brisbane needs for the future.
The project includes the construction of new twin tunnels beneath the Brisbane River and CBD, providing a critical second rail crossing through the city and helping unlock additional capacity across the wider South East Queensland rail network.
For decades, Brisbane’s rail network has been constrained by a single river crossing through the city. By creating an additional corridor for passenger rail services, Cross River Rail will help address this bottleneck, supporting future population growth and improving the reliability and efficiency of the network for generations to come.
While passengers will experience the benefits through more frequent and reliable services, the project's true legacy lies in enabling a transport network capable of supporting a rapidly growing region well into the future.
Connecting people, place and culture
Cross River Rail is also reshaping Brisbane's urban landscape.
The project’s four new underground stations have been designed as world-class transport destinations that connect people to the city while creating opportunities for broader urban renewal. A key element of this transformation is the Green Spine, a significant public realm initiative that will enhance connectivity, accessibility and activation throughout the CBD.
The new stations will also celebrate Queensland’s rich cultural heritage through the integration of Indigenous artwork and storytelling. Developed in partnership with Traditional Owners and First Nations artists, these artworks reflect a deep connection to Country and embed cultural narratives within the fabric of the city.
Together, these elements ensure the project delivers more than transport infrastructure alone, creating places that strengthen community connection, celebrate culture and contribute to a more vibrant and inclusive Brisbane.
Building the industry's next generation
For CPB Contractors, however, the most important legacy is the people.
Since construction began, thousands of graduates, engineers, supervisors, tradespeople and industry professionals have contributed to the delivery of Cross River Rail. For many, the project has provided a once-in-a-career opportunity to work on an infrastructure project of extraordinary complexity and scale.
Teams have navigated significant challenges throughout delivery, including the impacts of COVID-19, global supply chain disruptions and technical engineering challenges rarely encountered in Australia. In doing so, they have developed the resilience, leadership skills and technical expertise that will shape future infrastructure projects across the country.
Many of the young professionals who joined the project early in their careers have grown into leaders within their disciplines, gaining experience that simply cannot be replicated in a classroom.
Addressing attendees at the Emerging Leaders Forum, Vince Sanflippo said the project's greatest legacy may ultimately be the workforce it has helped develop.
"Cross River Rail has challenged people in ways few projects can. It has demanded resilience, adaptability and problem-solving at every stage. The skills, experience and confidence our people have gained through delivering this project will stay with them for the rest of their careers."
As Cross River Rail moves closer to completion, its impact will be measured not only by the tunnels, stations and transport benefits it delivers, but also by the city it helps shape and the people who built it.
For the emerging leaders visiting the project, it served as a powerful reminder that infrastructure is ultimately about creating lasting value - for communities, for cities and for future generations.