- The Crisafulli Government has today announced a major package of road projects as part of the Gold Coast Transport Plan, delivering a twenty year plan to get Gold Coasters home sooner and safer.
- The plan includes delivering Stage 2 of the Coomera Connector, between Pimpama and Coomera, with expressions of interest for the design now open.
- Several key Pacific Motorway interchanges will be upgraded, including Exit 82 at Robina, Exit 54 on ramp intersection at Dreamworld, Exit 38 at Yatala and Exit 45 at Ormeau.
- The Hope Island Bridge duplication at Jabiru Island is also part of the plan, significantly reducing traffic congestion and catering to future demand.
- The Crisafulli Government is building the Gold Coast's future, after Labor's decade of decline left it sitting in congestion.
The Crisafulli Government has today released the full Gold Coast Transport Plan, with a package of road projects to get the Gold Coast home sooner and safer.
The Crisafulli Government's Gold Coast Transport Plan includes delivering Stage 2 of the Coomera Connector, between Pimpama and Coomera, key upgrades to interchanges on the Pacific Motorway and the Jabiru Island bridge duplication.
Expressions of interest are open for the design of the five kilometre section of the Coomera Connector Stage 2, which will improve safety and connectivity, while meeting the needs of a growing city.
Stage 2 of the Coomera Connector between Yawalpah Road at Pimpama, and Shipper Drive at Coomera, will offer an alternative to the M1, reducing congestion and travel time during peak hour.
The Jabiru Bridge project will duplicate the 236 metre Coombabah Creek Bridge and the 194-metre flood relief channel bridge, reducing congestion at the Crescent Avenue intersection, while also improving safety and accessibility to Jabiru Island.
The Plan will also see upgrades at key intersections including Southport- Nerang Road at Minnie Street, Reedy Creek Road between Taree Street and Kortum Drive, and Gold Coast Springbrook Road at Old Coach Road and Mclachlan Avenue.
Several Pacific Motorway Exits will also be upgraded including the Exit 54 on ramp intersection at Dreamworld and Exit 92 interchange at Robina.
While active transport upgrades will also see new pedestrian bridges over the Gold Coast Highway at Broadbeach, paths along Nerang-Broadbeach Road to support Olympic Venues at Carrara Stadium, and new walking and cycling connections.
The delivery of critical road infrastructure follows other major announcements through the Crisafulli Government's Gold Coast Transport Plan, including:
- Gold Coast Light Rail extension from Gold Coast University Hospital to Harbour Town at Biggera Waters.
- Southern Gold Coast GC Surfer metro-style service connecting Robina, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast Airport and Coolangatta.
- Central Gold Coast GC Surfer metro-style connecting Nerang and Broadbeach with corridor upgrades, to connect Carrara Stadium, heavy rail and the light rail.
- Robina to Miami GC Surfer metro-style service to connect Robina Town Centre and Bond University to heavy rail and the light rail.
- Preserving the heavy rail corridor between Varsity Lakes to the Gold Coast Airport.
After a decade of underinvestment by the former Labor Government, the Crisafulli Government is delivering the roads and transport infrastructure needed to keep pace with growth and get Queenslanders home safer and sooner.
Premier David Crisafulli said the Government was getting on building the roads and transport infrastructure needed for the Gold Coast's future.
"We are delivering the Gold Coast Transport Plan to meet the growing needs of a growing city," Premier Crisafulli said.
"For too long the Gold Coast has been stuck looking in the rear-view mirror, but we are getting the city moving again, exactly as we promised.
"Coomera Connector Stage 2 will get more cars off the M1, reduce congestion and peak hour traffic, to get more Queenslanders home sooner and safer.
"The Gold Coast Transport Plan is a clear blueprint for the future, investing in better roads, better public transport and better connections right across the city."
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the Coomera Connector was a critical part of the Government's long-term vision for the Gold Coast.
"The former Labor Government failed to keep pace with growth across South East Queensland, leaving motorists paying the price through worsening congestion and longer travel times," Minister Mickelberg said.
"The Gold Coast Transport Plan is our response. We are delivering a coordinated plan to tackle congestion, improve connectivity and ensure infrastructure keeps pace with growth.
"The Coomera Connector is a critical piece of that network, and by bringing industry to the table early, we're strengthening the design, improving cost certainty and ensuring the project is delivery-ready."
Member for Bonney Sam O'Connor said northern Gold Coasters had long called for infrastructure investment to match the region's rapid growth.
"For too long Gold Coasters have only been able to easily travel between our city's suburbs by jumping onto a national highway," Mr O'Connor said.
"Our LNP team has long fought for a local alternative to the M1, and now our Crisafulli Government has a plan to deliver this road and take it to more of the places it needs to go in our city's north.
"This announcement complements our commitment to upgrade some of the Gold Coast Highway's most congested intersections around Arundel and Coombabah as part of our comprehensive Gold Coast Transport Plan."
Member for Coomera Michael Crandon said Stage 2 of Coomera Connector was a major win for northern Gold Coast commuters.
"With the success of Stage 1 North of the Coomera Connector already making a huge difference for Northern Gold Coast commuters, planning for Stage 2 is the next logical step," Mr Crandon said.
"This will be recognised and will be welcomed by residents who have suffered with major congestion brought on by Labors failure to plan, over the past 10 years."
Member for Theodore Mark Boothman said the Crisafulli Government was getting the Gold Coast moving.
"The Gold Coast is growing and we're working to deliver the road upgrades and transportation infrastructure to get our local residents home safer and sooner," Mr Boothman said.
The Gold Coast Transport Plan can be found http://tmr.qld.gov.au/gold-coast-transport-plan
