Record funding for Gold Coast roads

The Gold Coast will receive $631 million for road projects over the next two years as part of a record $11.55 billion roads program for Queensland.

The latest Roads Implementation Program, launched by Premier Peter Beattie and Transport and Main Roads Minister Paul Lucas, boosts roads spending in Queensland by more than $1 billion over the next five years.

Mr Lucas said a record $11.55 billion would be spent on the state’s roads from 2006-07 to 2010-11 – a $1.05 billion or 10% increase on the previous five-year program.

The roads program details almost 2500 road projects that will be constructed over the next five years.

“We are committed to delivering the projects that make our roads safer and help meet the needs of a growing state,” Mr Lucas said.

Mr Lucas said Gold Coast motorists were a big winner in the program with continued record funding for the city.

“The $631 million being spent on Gold Coast roads over the next two years will provide vital infrastructure for the region," Mr Lucas said.

Funding for the current and 2007-08 financial years include:

• $383 million to progress construction of the $543 million Tugun Bypass. The federal government has committed $120 million to the project while the Queensland government is providing $423 million
• $15 million to complete a $21.5 million project to four-lane Nerang-Broadbeach Road from AllambeGardens to Ross Street
• $13.7 million to complete a $20 million project to four-lane Nerang-Broadbeach Road from Ross Street to Nielsens Road
• $8.2 million to complete construction of a $20 million project to provide four lanes on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road (Gooding Drive) between Palm Meadows Drive and Bourton Road
• $17.1 million to complete work on a $21.6 million project to four-lane part of the Frank Street section of the Gold Coast Highway, extending from Robert to Stevens streets
• $32 million to complete work on a $52.5 million project to four-lane Brisbane-Beenleigh Road between Fletcher and Boundary streets, Beenleigh. Construction is underway and should be completed mid-2007.

Other key road projects in GoldCoastCity funded over the next two years include:

• $16.8 million to complete a $20 million project to extend four lanes on Hope Island Road from Oxenford to Santa Barbara Drive
• $6 million towards progressive four-lane duplication works totalling $93 million, on Hope Island Rd east from Santa Barbara Drive to Hollywell
• $9.5 million towards planning and land purchases for a new intra-regional transport corridor from Stapylton to Nerang-Broadbeach Road
• $5.3 million to complete bus priority measures totalling $6.05 million on Smith Street, west of the Gold Coast Highway intersection
• $3.8 million to complete a $4.5 million rehabilitation and widening project on Labrador-Carrara Road (Olsen Avenue) between Melia Court and Central Street, Labrador
• $13.8 million to complete bus priority measures on the Gold Coast Highway between Broadbeach and Coolangatta
• $2.2 million to complete a $5.7 million project to upgrade Gold Coast Highway intersections in Burleigh
• $2.7 million to upgrade sections of Advancetown-Mudgeeraba Road
• $484,000 for pavement rehabilitation of Beaudesert-Nerang Road at Mt Nathan, from Henri Robert Drive to Maudsland Road
• $2.7 million for early planning and design works on an estimated $57 million project to extend four lanes on the Gold Coast Highway at Labrador between Government Road and Robert Street
• $800,000 for early planning works on a $68 million project to upgrade Smith Street to six lanes
• $1.6 million to start a $14 million four-lane realignment of Tamborine-Oxenford Road between Riversdale Road and Pacific Motorway at Oxenford
• $5.7 million for project planning to widen the Pacific Motorway to six lanes south from Nerang to Stewart Road, Currumbin.

Mr Lucas said under the Safer Roads Sooner program, $14 million has been provided for the Gold Coast and hinterland area over two years as part of a targeted road safety initiative to cut Queensland's road toll.

New Safer Roads Sooner initiatives on the Gold Coast include:

• $200,000 in 2006-07 for the improvement of traffic signals at the intersection of the Gold Coast Highway and Ereton Drive
• $300,000 over two years from 2006-07 for traffic signal improvements and the extension of right-hand turning lanes at the intersection of the Gold Coast Highway and Chairlift Avenue
• $450,000 over two years from 2006-07 to install traffic signals and right-hand turning lanes at the intersection of Advancetown-Mudgeeraba and Tallai Roads
• $800,000 in 2006-07 for shoulder sealing and improved driver visibility on the Nerang-Murwillumbah Road
• $300,000 over two years, commencing 2006-07, for the installation of traffic signals and modification of turning lanes at the intersection of Southport-Nerang Road and Industrial Avenue at Molendinar in Gold Coast City
• $500,000 over two years, commencing in 2006-07, for the installation of guard rail and improved driver visibility measures on the Beaudesert-Nerang Road near Riverglen Court in Gold Coast City.