Roads & TransportLindsay SaundersMon 17 Aug 26
Queensland Moves Ahead with Coomera Connector Second Stage
Expressions of interest for the design of the second stage of the Coomera Connector as part of a 20-year transport plan for the Gold Coast have opened.
The 5km Stage 2 section between Yawalpah Road at Pimpama and Shipper Drive at Coomera, is designed to provide an alternative route to the M1.
The project aims to reduce peak-hour congestion and travel times as the northern Gold Coast continues to grow, according to the Queensland Government.
The government has also committed to duplicating the Jabiru Island bridges and upgrading several key Pacific Motorway interchanges and intersections under the Gold Coast Transport Plan.
The Jabiru Bridge project will duplicate the 236m Coombabah Creek Bridge and a 194m flood relief channel bridge. The works are expected to reduce congestion at the Crescent Avenue intersection and improve access to Jabiru Island.
Pacific Motorway upgrades will include the Exit 54 on-ramp intersection at Dreamworld, Exit 38 at Yatala, Exit 45 at Ormeau and Exit 92 at Robina.
Other planned intersection upgrades include 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.
The plan also includes new pedestrian bridges over the Gold Coast Highway at Broadbeach, walking and cycling paths along Nerang-Broadbeach Road and other active transport connections supporting access to Carrara Stadium and other Olympic venues.
The government said bringing industry into the design process early would improve cost certainty and ensure the Coomera Connector project is ready for delivery.
Premier David Crisafulli said the transport plan would address congestion caused by the Gold Coast’s population growth.
“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,” Crisafulli said.
The wider transport plan also includes a proposed light rail extension from Gold Coast University Hospital to Harbour Town, three GC Surfer metro-style services and preservation of the heavy rail corridor between Varsity Lakes and the Gold Coast Airport.
The GC Surfer services would connect Robina with Burleigh Heads, the Gold Coast Airport and Coolangatta, Nerang with Broadbeach and Robina with Miami.
The government has not provided a construction timeframe or project cost for Stage 2 of the Coomera Connector.
