Published Friday, 06 June, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Gold Coast motorists get immediate benefits from Tugun Bypass
Traffic statistics show that Gold Coast motorists are experiencing immediate major benefits from the Tugun Bypass, which opened this week.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said an analysis of traffic volumes from the first two full days of the bypass’s operation highlighted the benefits of the bypass’s construction.
“The Bligh Government is committed to tackling urban congestion – and improving the quality of life for people in the process,” Mr Pitt said.
“During planning and construction for the Tugun Bypass, Main Roads engineers forecast that it would carry about 40,000 vehicles a day when it was opened – and this is exactly what has occurred.
“Traffic statistics from the bypass’s first full day of operation, on Wednesday 4 June, show that in the 24-hour period starting at midnight, a total of 20,370 vehicles travelled northbound on the bypass and 22,252 vehicles travelled southbound.
“This gives a combined daily total of 42,622 vehicles for the day.
“Meanwhile, on the Gold Coast Highway at Tugun during the same time period, 16,919 vehicles travelled northbound and 20,532 travelled southbound – giving a combined total of 37,451 vehicles for the day.
“Compare this total to the figure of 72,555, which was recorded just a week earlier, on May 26, at the same site.
“This enormous drop in the number of vehicles using the Tugun stretch of the Gold Coast Highway is great news for the residents of the southern Gold Coast.”
Mr Pitt said the first-day figures were similar to the volumes recorded up to midnight last night – 40,713 vehicles on the Tugun Bypass, compared with 39,837 vehicles on the Gold Coast Highway.
“This project – delivered on budget and six months ahead of schedule – is immediately bringing substantial improvements to the quality of life for Gold Coast residents,” he said.
“It has also been good news for the people using the bypass – instead of being stuck in traffic, they can now complete the journey between Currumbin and the Tweed in about five minutes.
“The Tugun Bypass was one of the most complex road projects ever undertaken and the community is now enjoying the benefits it provides.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said an analysis of traffic volumes from the first two full days of the bypass’s operation highlighted the benefits of the bypass’s construction.
“The Bligh Government is committed to tackling urban congestion – and improving the quality of life for people in the process,” Mr Pitt said.
“During planning and construction for the Tugun Bypass, Main Roads engineers forecast that it would carry about 40,000 vehicles a day when it was opened – and this is exactly what has occurred.
“Traffic statistics from the bypass’s first full day of operation, on Wednesday 4 June, show that in the 24-hour period starting at midnight, a total of 20,370 vehicles travelled northbound on the bypass and 22,252 vehicles travelled southbound.
“This gives a combined daily total of 42,622 vehicles for the day.
“Meanwhile, on the Gold Coast Highway at Tugun during the same time period, 16,919 vehicles travelled northbound and 20,532 travelled southbound – giving a combined total of 37,451 vehicles for the day.
“Compare this total to the figure of 72,555, which was recorded just a week earlier, on May 26, at the same site.
“This enormous drop in the number of vehicles using the Tugun stretch of the Gold Coast Highway is great news for the residents of the southern Gold Coast.”
Mr Pitt said the first-day figures were similar to the volumes recorded up to midnight last night – 40,713 vehicles on the Tugun Bypass, compared with 39,837 vehicles on the Gold Coast Highway.
“This project – delivered on budget and six months ahead of schedule – is immediately bringing substantial improvements to the quality of life for Gold Coast residents,” he said.
“It has also been good news for the people using the bypass – instead of being stuck in traffic, they can now complete the journey between Currumbin and the Tweed in about five minutes.
“The Tugun Bypass was one of the most complex road projects ever undertaken and the community is now enjoying the benefits it provides.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819