- The Coomera Connector Stage 1 North (Shipper Drive to Helensvale Road) will be open to traffic from early Tuesday 2 December.
- Construction of the Central and South packages are also progressing well.
- Detailed design and site investigations are underway for Coomera Connector Stage 2 - Yawalpah Road to Shipper Drive.
The Coomera Connector Stage 1 North will open to traffic early tomorrow morning, delivering a safer and faster journey for those travelling between Coomera and Helensvale.
This four-lane, four-kilometre section of the Coomera Connector, to be known as the M9, is a critical piece of infrastructure for the northern Gold Coast.
This new route will provide a vital alternative route to the M1 for local commuters between Shipper Drive in Coomera and Helensvale Road in Helensvale.
The Coomera Connector Stage 1 North project included:
- Building interchanges at Shipper Dr and Helensvale Rd and 4kms of shared paths
- Constructing an almost 1km bridge over the Coomera River and Saltwater Creek
- 65,000 tonnes of asphalt laid on the main section of road and local roads.
- Over 60 traineeships and apprenticeships
- 94 per cent of project spend with South East Queensland suppliers
It is the first of three packages to open, with the Central package recently marking one year of construction and early works recently completed and main construction forging ahead on the South package.
Work is progressing on environmental approvals for the remaining 29km of Coomera Connector between Loganholme and Coomera, and detailed design for Stage 2 -from Yawalpah Road in Pimpama to Shipper Drive in Coomera - will begin next year.
Once complete, the 45km Coomera Connector will transform travel between Logan and the Gold Coast, reducing congestion on the busy Pacific Motorway, improving freight efficiency, and supporting the region's economic growth.
The project was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Government, with a $1.5 billion contribution from the Commonwealth and $1.9 billion contribution from the Queensland Government.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King said the upgrade was a win for motorists.
"Any local that's sat on the Coomera stretch of the M1 during peak hour traffic will know what a difference this connector will make," Minister King said.
"The opening of the M9 will mean a safer, more reliable and smoother journey for thousands of commuters a day.
"This is not just an investment in South East Queensland's infrastructure but in jobs and the local community.
"This new infrastructure is all about reducing travel times, and it's arrived just in time for the Christmas break, so commuters can get home earlier to their loved ones."
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the Coomera Connector was one of Queensland's largest transport projects.
"We're proud to be working with the Australian Government to deliver real benefits to Queenslanders - reducing congestion, improving travel times, and supporting our growing communities," Minister Mickelberg said.
"The Coomera Connector is a clear example of this government getting on with the job of building the infrastructure Queenslanders need now and into the future.
"Not only is this infrastructure vital to support increasing demand on our roads, but it's also critical for our economy, with more than 1,000 jobs being supported across Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector project, and over 2.5 million working hours invested in Stage 1 North alone."
Federal Member for Forde, Rowan Holzberger said families on the northern Gold Coast have been stuck in congestion for far too long.
"The opening of this section of the Coomera Connector will take real pressure off the M1 and give locals a safer, more reliable trip every single day," Mr Holzberger said.
"This is exactly the sort of practical infrastructure our community has been calling for - something that makes the commute easier, supports local jobs, and helps us keep pace with the enormous growth across our region."
"The Coomera Connector is a long-term investment in how our community moves. With Stage 1 North now open, we're delivering a major step forward that will make a genuine difference for people trying to get to work, get the kids to school, or run a small business."
State Member for Coomera Michael Crandon said the Coomera Connector was a critical piece of infrastructure for the northern Gold Coast.
"Our community has experienced massive growth, and this new route will help ease congestion and improve travel times for locals. It's a step forward in addressing the transport needs of one of Queensland's fastest-growing regions," Mr Crandon said.
Queensland Member for Theodore Mark Boothman said residents had been waiting for this milestone for a long time.
"This investment will make a real difference for families and businesses in our area, improving connectivity and supporting economic growth. It's about delivering the infrastructure our community deserves, and I look forward to seeing future stages of this vital road corridor open in coming years," Mr Boothman said.
