Work begins on Cross River Rail but future remains uncertain

Work on Brisbane's multi-billion-dollar Cross River Rail project is now underway.

Queensland Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk confirmed to News Corp that heavy work had started on the 5.9km tunnel which will run under the Brisbane River between Dutton Park and Roma Street.

Bore Drilling will commence in coming months and a number of electrical substations will need to be relocated.

The massive infrastructure project, which will see more than 10km of trim line built, has long been labelled the solution to Brisbane's traffic woes.

But even though work has commenced, the future of the project remains uncertain. With a state election looming Queensland's LNP opposition leader Tim Nicholls won't confirm his commitment to the Cross River Rail.

The LNP instead wants to see a bullet train between the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.

The Labor State Government has committed the full $5.4 billion needed to build the train line after the federal government refused to contribute.

Cross River Rail is expected to create 1500 jobs each year until its estimated completion in 2024.