IT HAS spent years on the drawing board but now the State Government is expected to announce commencement of the rail line to Springfield this month.

The $475 million rail extension will include two new train stations - Springfield Central, near Orion Shopping Centre, and Springfield, near Woodcrest College.

Acting Transport Minister Cameron Dick yesterday confirmed the project was due to be finished in 2013 - two years early.

"As part of our commitment to growing public transport, we're building a new 9.5km dual rail line from Richlands to Springfield," Mr Dick said.

"The project will deliver two train stations and safety and capacity improvements on the Centenary Highway.

"It also includes a cycle path between Julie Rd, Carol Park and Springfield Lakes and a shared-use path from Springfield Lakes to the Springfield Station."

It is also planned to include 100 car parks at Springfield Central and 200 parks at Springfield.

Commuter advocacy group Back on Track welcomed the plan but warned other projects, such as the proposed cross-river rail, needed to be fast-tracked.

"We think the State Government has grossly underestimated its forecast of public transport trips," spokesman for Back On Track Robert Dow said.

"The State Government has quoted an extra 100 million trips to be made in southeast Queensland by 2018 - up from 178 million in 2010-2011.

"But external factors, such as increasing fuel costs, haven't been given enough credence. And the proposed patronage target is unachievable on present policies."

Mr Dow's proposed solutions include:

* Public transport to be available around the clock.

* Fast-track cross-river rail.

* More green bridges to allow buses to cross the river, particularly at Bulimba and Kenmore.

* More bus routes that travel from suburb to suburb without cutting through Brisbane's CBD.

Originally published as State ticks rail line for Springfield