Work to upgrade one of the Gold Coast's busiest intersections at Harbour Town has finished two months ahead of schedule.
The upgrade at the Gold Coast Highway intersection with Hope Island Road (Oxley Drive) and Labrador-Carrara Road (Olsen Avenue) was jointly funded by the Federal Government and Queensland Government.
The project included additional right-turn lanes in both directions of the Gold Coast Highway and longer right-turn lanes on all four arms of the intersection to improve traffic flow and provide greater capacity.
Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the $10.68 million project would help bust congestion and improve safety for Gold Coast commuters.
"The Harbour Town intersection upgrade is one of many critical infrastructure projects to receive funding from the Morrison Government as part of its record $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline," Minister Fletcher said.
"By busting congestion along critical sections of roads like this one, we're helping people to get home to their families sooner and safer, we're helping freight move more quickly between our cities, and we're generating jobs across the country.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister, the Hon Mark Bailey said the completed project was welcome news as time stuck in traffic was time better spent with family and friends.
"On top of lost social time, congestion drains our economy through lost productivity, which is why the Palaszczuk Government is backing a record investment in congestion-busting projects to support Queensland's economic recovery," Minister Bailey said.
"Thousands of Gold Coast drivers who travel through this intersection each day will now spend less time sitting in traffic."
Federal Member for Fadden, the Hon Stuart Robert MP, said the additional capacity introduced to right turning lanes had improved traffic flow and reduced the potential for traffic accidents.
"This is one of the Gold Coast's busiest intersections and this new layout will mean no more waiting three light changes to get into Harbour Town," Mr Robert said
"The new bike lanes will improve cycling and pedestrian connectivity along Brisbane Road and improve connectivity within the broader active transport network on the Gold Coast."
The project was jointly funded with the Australian Government committing $5 million and the Queensland Government $5.68 million.
For up-to-date road condition information, call 13 19 40, visit www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or download the QldTraffic app.
