Stage two construction starts at Hope Island Road

Work on the second stage of a $140 million project to duplicate Hope Island Road from Cova Boulevard to Boykambil Esplanade at Hope Island has started, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt and Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft said today.

Inspecting work on the project today (February 3), Mr Pitt said the duplication was necessary to improve traffic capacity and safety and cater for traffic growth in the area during the next 20 years.

“Hope Island Road is a major arterial road on the north side of the Gold Coast, which carries around 22,000 vehicles per day,” Mr Pitt said.

“The $17.6 million stage two works will see the 2.3-kilometre section between Cova Boulevard and Boykambil Esplanade duplicated to include a four lane median divided road.

"Road safety will also be improved with the construction of two new signalised intersections at the proposed Mervyn Thomas Drive and Crescent Avenue, as well as an upgrade of the existing roundabout at Helensvale Road.”

Ms Croft said more than 130 jobs were expected to be created during stage two of the project, and more than 970 during the course of the entire project.

“During these challenging economic times, the government will continue to fight to secure jobs for Queenslanders, and this project will certainly contribute to that.”

Ms Croft said new cycleways would also be built along both sides of the road and street lighting would be improved along the length of the route.

“A new two-lane service road between the new Marina Quays Development and Crescent Avenue will be the first part of the project’s construction,” she said.

“The road between Cova Boulevard and Sickle Avenue will also be duplicated, widening the current two-lane road into four lanes.

“Reconstruction of the existing roundabout at Sickle Avenue and Helensvale Road will follow with works continuing on the duplication of the road from the roundabout to Coombabah Creek.”

Ms Croft said stage one of the project, which involved the duplication of a 3.4-kilometre section from the M1 to Gracemere Drive as well as an enlarged roundabout at Monterey Keys and two new bridges across Robinson Creek, was completed in September 2008.

“Stage two of the Hope Island project is set to be completed by December 2009, weather permitting,” Ms Croft said.

“Stages three and four of the project will complete the full duplication, and are programmed to be completed by late 2012.

“On behalf of Main Roads, I would like to thank motorists, residents and businesses for their patience during construction.”

The Hope Island duplication project has been prioritised under the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program (SEQIPP).

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819