Gold Coast Transport set to Improve…

 

Evidently, the Gold Coast is a fast-growing economy with over 13,000 People moving here each year and rising. The Gold Coasts roads and modes of public transport could be considered ancient compared to other cities. Over the past few weeks, many improvements have been announced for the Gold Coast, with (M1 Exit 57) Oxenford interchange undergoing improvements, Plans for the Coomera Connector in the discussion, Pimpama bridge to nowhere set to open in late December, new train lines and many others. The Gold Coasts roads are looking smoother. However, it appears that not all locals are happy about the minuteness of the improvements. With such a fast-growing city shouldn’t we be looking at bigger long-term implementations of infrastructure and upgrades?

 

Read more about the Gold Coast Public Transport 2018 -2028 Plan: http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/documents/ps/public-transport-plan-2018-2028.PDF

 

Public Transport!

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says that the Gold Coasts way of life isn’t sustainable, with thousands of people flocking to the Gold Coast each year he is encouraging people to make the switch to public transport and walking. Many Gold Coasters question the reliability and long-term sustainability of using public transport in its current condition. The price of a one-way ticket and the routes the transport options take are not direct or frequent enough for most residents. One resident reported that in order for her to get to work via public transport she needed to catch two buses, a train, another bus and then walk a further 1.3 kilometres totalling her journey at 2 hours and 23 minutes of public transport verse the 45-minute car trip.

Public Transport in the inner cities main suburbs is more stable and frequent for transport users, it’s another story for transport users in the outer suburbs. The bus routes and lack of frequency are difficult for most people to navigate and rely on. Mayor Tom Tate has also released a “Public Transport 2018-2028 Plan” demonstrating how he wants to improve the roads, public transport and upgrade current infrastructure around the Gold Coast. Including upgrading the Light rail tram, Train station improvements, buses, routes, frequency and more (Link below). But, with the Gold Coast growing so fast are these improvements going to be enough for our city?

 

 

 

What’s next for the Gold Coast?

 

Oxenford Interchange (M1, Exit 57)

The Government has announced that’s the Oxenford Interchange (Exit 57) will start road works in late September since its last improvements almost 20 years ago. The much-needed improvements are set to open up more lanes or traffic flow improvements.

Read more: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/P/Pacific-Motorway-M1-Oxenford-Interchange-Exit-57-upgrade

 

 

The Bridge to nowhere?

The Yawalpah Road, Pimpama bridge to nowhere could possibly be open by the end of the year. The 25-year old bridge was built as a part of a deal with the landowner and Queensland rail in order for the rail line to continue without the need for a reroute. The bridge will open later this year connecting the Gainsborough Greens community to the Old Pacific Highway in junction with the new Pimpama City Shopping centre and residential housing.

 

 

Coomera Connector Project!

Another project the GCCC has in the works is the Coomera Connector project. The Project is set to be 45 kilometres long between the Logan Motorway and Pacific Motorway interchange at Loganholme and Nerang Broadbeach Road in Nerang. The project has no start date at this point in time, but it is set to be 6 lanes wide and includes facilities for Public transport, footpaths for walking and cycling in the hopes that this will provide larger transport capacity for the city.

Read more: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/C/Coomera-Connector

Coomera Connector Map: file:///C:/Users/admin.PRF/Downloads/aerial-alignment-map-0319.pdf

 

 

GC Rail Line Improvements!

The Government has also announced earlier this week that three new train lines will be added to the Railway Line alongside the Cross-River Rail Project. The new stations will be located in Pimpama, Helensvale North and Merrimac/Worongary, costing the state a whopping $120 Million. Mirage News Reported “The Gold Coast is one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia. These new stations are an important part of our commitment to improving public transport on the Coast,” Ms Jones. “The government’s number one priority is to create jobs. This project won’t just create jobs during construction but will support Gold Coasters who need to travel for work each day. With the population expected to grow by an extra 350,000 residents over the next 25 years, better public transport is crucial on the Gold Coast.”

 

Gold Coast Ferries!

Mayor Tom Tate has also spoken out about the Gold Coast Ferry Line that will be opening in the second week of December 2019. The Ferry will open up just in time for summer, with 5 vessels that will operate 7 days a week stopping at 5 locations. Mr Tate has said if the 5 Stop trial is successful he hopes to expand the ferry route with a total of 15 stops along the Broadwater and Nerang River. Operations and preparations began this month with two local jetties undergoing upgrades to meet disability access requirements. $175,000.00 has been allocated to the Gold Coast Waterway Authorities to help with the transition and improvements along with $500,000.00 additional operational funding & a further $500,000.00 for the 12-months following the opening.

 

 

Although the Gold Coast roads are undergoing the much-needed infrastructure updates, in the long term is this going to be enough to sustain the ever-growing city and its needs?