Qld rail link audit to probe tender

An independent review of flaws in the Moreton Bay Rail Link project will examine the tendering and contract process involved in the faulty signalling system.

Problems in the $988 million project meant the signalling system couldn't keep up with peak rail traffic and could have caused crashes.

The issues have caused delays while Queensland Rail works on a solution and it will no longer be operational in mid-2016 as previously planned.

The Palaszczuk government this week announced an independent audit of the project and released its terms of reference on Friday.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the probe would look into how the signalling system was selected.

"This review will run separately to the work being undertaken by Queensland Rail into the requirements of the signalling systems in order for Moreton Bay Rail Link to open," he said.

It will also examine the signalling elements of the tender and contract process and contract milestone payments related to signalling, including the grounds upon which payments were made.

The audit is expected to be complete by the end of July.