Coomera Connector bridge construction reaches milestone

• The Coomera River Bridge has had 50 per cent of piles cast.
• The nearly 1-kilometre bridge across the Coomera River will have 29 headstocks, 498 concrete girders and 117 bridge columns.
• The bridge will be completed in 2025.

Construction of the new Coomera Connector motorway hit another milestone with more than 50 per cent of the 117 bored piles on the Coomera River bridge now cast.

At nearly 1-kilometre-long, the Coomera River Bridge starts on the northern bank of the river, crosses the river to Hope Island Road and across Saltwater Creek. It will consist of 29 headstocks, 498 girders and 117 bridge columns.

Piling on this bridge will be completed by end of this year, with the separate overflow bridge structure north of the river commencing soon after. Construction of the Coomera River Bridge will continue until 2025.

The 4-kilometre Stage 1 North section of the project, from Shipper Drive, Coomera to Helensvale Road, Helensvale, will consist of around 6 kilometres of drainage pipes, 648 concrete girders, more than 950,000 tonnes of fill brought to site, and a 4.19 kilometre shared active transport path.

Initial works for the upgrade of Coomera Link Road, at the northern end of the project, will commence next month.

Stage 1 Central

Design and site investigations are currently underway for the Central package from Helensvale to Molendinar with an early works contract awarded in February 2023.

The major contract is expected to be awarded in late 2023 and the design details released in early 2024. Early works are due to commence in early 2024.

Stage 1 South

Design and site investigations are also underway for the South package from Molendinar to Nerang. Expressions of interest for early works, main works and contract administration contracts have been released.

Contractors for the early works have been shortlisted and tenders are currently being prepared for the predominantly earthworks and preloading package south of the Nerang River.

Details of the design for this package are expected to be released in November 2023.

The Australian and Queensland governments have committed $2.16 billion on a 50:50 basis to plan and build Coomera Connector Stage 1 between Coomera and Nerang. This investment is estimated to support an average of 1000 direct jobs over the life of the project.

Major construction on the Coomera Connector began in March 2023.

The new motorway is expected to open progressively to traffic from late 2025, with planning continuing for future stages.

More information can be found at Coomera Connector | Department of Transport and Main Roads (tmr.qld.gov.au)

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey:

“The Coomera Connector is the largest single road project in the state and will reduce the heavy reliance on the M1, improving safety, capacity, travel time reliability and accessibility for all road users.

"This is one of the fastest growing regions in the country, and it's important we continue to invest in new and improved road and transport options to meet current and future demand.

“The Coomera Connector will improve safety, transport capacity, travel time reliability, and accessibility for all road users.

“Works have ramped up over the past six months since construction started and it is wonderful to see the new motorway taking shape.”

Quotes attributable to Gold Coast-based Palaszczuk Government and Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon:

“As our city grows, we need to make sure it keeps moving – whether that’s on the road, via rail, light rail or on buses.  

“This project was a commitment I made and this milestone shows that we’re pedal to the metal on delivering it.

“We need to build big now for the families that call the Gold Coast home today and into the future. It means better transport services but also good jobs for tradies in our city.”

ENDS

Media contact – Minister Bailey office – 0419 288 284