Last Games Road Upgrade Good to Go at Gooding Roundabout

A major milestone has been met with the final project to be delivered under the Palaszczuk Government’s $160.7 million Commonwealth Games road network improvements program now open to motorists.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey today officially welcomed the completion of the $6.7 million Gooding Drive upgrade at a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Mr Bailey said the project had already facilitated improved traffic conditions and reduced travel time for motorists.

“The upgrades mean this is the Gold Coast’s first three-lane partially signalised roundabout,’’ Mr Bailey said.

“The project has also improved shared pathway connections for both pedestrians and cyclists in the lead-up to, during, and after the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

“Our number one priority is to ensure more than 6600 athletes and team officials, 50,000 workers and volunteers, 3500 accredited media and more than one million spectators get to their destinations safely and on time.

“And with the delivery of the final project of this improvement program, we are on track to achieve just that.”

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said thousands of local motorists had already begun to benefit from upgraded infrastructure with reduced travel times and improved safety across the Gold Coast.

“Early last year we started upgrading some of the major routes and congestion points across the city,” Ms Scanlon said.

“Transport and Main Roads recently completed a $37.5 million Continuous Flow Intersection or CFI, at the intersection of Southport–Burleigh Road, Ashmore Road and Salerno Street.

“This CFI is a first for Australia and has already been successful in allowing more traffic to flow more freely through the intersection for longer periods.

“The legacy of these projects provided by the Palaszczuk Government will live on well after GC2018 and ensure our road network can accommodate a growing Gold Coast and all those who live, work and come to play.

“I’m also proud to say a total of 166 direct jobs were supported over the life of the six projects delivered under the program.”

Finishing works to the new roundabout and Palm Meadows Intersection will continue through to mid-February. For more information visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au

Background:

Key features of the $6.7 million Gooding Drive upgrade include:

• an additional lane from Gooding Drive east through the roundabout to Gooding Drive west
• a new free-flow slip lane from Gooding Drive west to Nerang-Broadbeach Road north
• new traffic signals on the Gooding Drive east and Robina Parkway north approaches, activated in peak periods
• a new intersection at Palm Meadows Drive
• extensions to footpaths and safety improvements to road crossings
• new line-marking and directional signage for commuters, cyclists and pedestrians.

The full package of works created as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $160.7 million Commonwealth Games road network improvements program included

• six-laning an eight kilometre section of Southport–Burleigh Road (High Street, Ferry Road, Bundall Road, Bermuda Street) from Southport to Broadbeach Waters, including eight intersection upgrades
• removing the roundabout and signalising the intersection of Labrador‑Carrara Road (Ross Street) and Ashmore Road
• extending the six lanes of Olsen Avenue from Crestwood Drive to Southport–Nerang Road, including constructing a new intersection at Industrial Avenue and upgrading the existing intersection at Southport‑Nerang Road
• providing additional capacity along Nerang–Broadbeach Road at the Gooding Drive roundabout and other minor works between Rio Vista Boulevard and Bermuda Street
• Minor improvements at the intersection of Smith Street Motorway and Kumbari Avenue.

ENDS

Media contact, Dominic Geiger, 0447355565