Gold Coast interchange upgrade completed ahead of schedule

Published Monday, 06 July, 2015 at 06:05 AM

Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey

A $78 million upgrade of the Smith Street Motorway and Olsen Avenue interchange was finished today, ahead of schedule.

Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said the work was part of a $119 million package to improve traffic flow through the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge precinct at Parkwood.

“The Smith Street Motorway provides a vital link to Queensland’s tourist hotspots,” he said.

“It will also connect the visionary Health and Knowledge precinct around Griffith University.

“Gold Coast motorists, cyclists and pedestrians need a more reliable road network and the Palaszczuk Government is making it happen.”

The interchange project created 148 jobs.

Mr Bailey said more enhancements would be made to Olsen Avenue, as part of the Commonwealth Games roads package.

“We are now working towards six-laning Olsen Avenue, between Crestwood Drive and the Southport–Nerang Road intersection,” he said.

“This new project is part of a recently announced $160.7 million package of road network improvements for the Gold Coast.

“Widening Olsen Avenue further south will also help improve traffic flows through the precinct.”

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