Contrary to the estimates, in July 1896, the Queensland Government awarded the tender for the construction of the wharf to J. Watson for £16,081 7 s. However, it was not until February 1897 that the government called for tenders to extend the railway line to Broadmount together with a railway bridge across the Fitzroy River to connect the Rockhampton railway station and the North Rockhampton railway station (which were then part of disconnected railway systems).