On Track to a Commonwealth Games Legacy

More than 585,000 tonnes of earth have been moved and the stockpiling of rail tracks is under way ahead of a $420 million, G:link led public transport evolution on the Gold Coast for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. 

Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games, Stirling Hinchliffe today inspected progress on the Stage 2 extension of the Gold Coast light rail at the future site of Parkwood East station. 

“This is legacy public transport infrastructure for the 2018 Commonwealth Games that will deliver unprecedented connectivity for the Gold Coast, and it’s under construction right now,” Minister Hinchliffe said. 

“Site preparation along the 7.3 kilometre corridor from Helensvale Train Station to Gold Coast University Hospital is advancing rapidly with noise protection barriers being installed and two bridge structures under construction, before the laying of the first tracks in coming months. 

“The stockpiling of the 30 kilometres of rail that will be needed for the dual track extension has begun with the first delivery arriving last month. 

“Here at the site of the future Parkwood East station, rock cutting adjacent to the Smith Street Motorway is progressing at a cracking pace with 36,000 tonnes of material removed. 

“Work on building Parkwood East station will start in coming weeks. It will match the look and feel of the existing G:link light rail stations and be integrated into the local community with an open landscaped plaza area and playground.” 

Minister Hinchliffe said as a 2018 Commonwealth Games legacy project, Gold Coast light rail Stage 2 was already delivering economic benefits.   

“This is a gold medal winning project with $69 million spent with local suppliers while the majority of the 934 workers inducted on site to date live on the Gold Coast and surrounding areas,” the Minister said. 

“Stage 2 of the Gold Coast light rail will play an important role during and after the Commonwealth Games by connecting Helensvale Train Station with Gold Coast University Hospital in 11 minutes and Broadbeach South in 47 minutes.    

“Already the much-loved G:link Stage 1 has helped to turbo-charge public transport on the Coast to deliver a 32 percent increase in passenger journeys on trams and buses, with Stage 2 now poised to become a Games-changing legacy infrastructure project. 

“It’s a big investment in region-building public transport infrastructure for the Gold Coast.” 

CEO for G:link operator GoldLinQ, Phil Mumford said work would continue to accelerate in 2017 as track laying and other activities commenced. 

“A substantial amount of progress has already been achieved and the community will see the project really take shape in coming months as our construction partner CPB Contractors increase activity including station construction and track installation to allow tram testing to begin later this year,” Mr Mumford said. 

“We’re continuing to work with the community to minimise impacts with significant work on the way including the placement of embedded tracks across two road intersections. 

“Each week you can see significant progress being made and we thank the community for their continued patience as we construct this important piece of transport infrastructure for the Gold Coast.” 

“Work is also moving on four new Bombardier Flexity 2 trams that will be added to the existing fleet of 14 light rail vehicles to maintain current service levels when Stage 2 opens ahead of the Commonwealth Games.” 

Background:  

• More than 330,000 project hours since construction began in July 2016
• 7.3 kilometre route from Helensvale heavy rail station parallel to the Gold Coast train line then the Smith Street motorway to connect with Stage 1 at the Gold Coast University Hospital light rail station
• Stage 2 will includes three new stations and two park ‘n’ ride facilities
• Bridges at Biggera and Coombabah creeks
• Project completion early 2018
• The $420 million light rail extension is funded by the Palaszczuk Government ($270m), the Australian Government ($95m) and the City of Gold Coast ($55m).   

Media contact: 0475 950 772