The new Coomera Connector motorway, which aims to ease congestion on the Gold Coast’s busy M1 motorway, is taking shape as works continue to progress on the $2.16 billion project.
Major construction of the Coomera Connector began in March, and now the nearly 1-kilometre bridge that will cross the Coomera River has more than 50 per cent of the 117 bored piles cast.
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 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,” said Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey.
“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.”
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.
The new motorway is expected to open progressively to traffic from late 2025, with planning continuing for future stages.