COVER FEATURE
EXTENDING THE LIGHT RAIL NETWORK The light rail has been transformational for the Gold Coast since its opening in 2014, attracting an average of 20,000 passengers per day. During the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games light rail did the public transport heavy lifting with 1.1 million tram journeys made over the 11-day event. This proves that highfrequency, high-quality public transport corridors can dramatically increase public transport use on the Gold Coast. The light rail system is designed to be delivered in stages to respond to the city’s growth. Stage 2 of the light rail between Gold Coast University Hospital and Helensvale rail station opened in December 2017, linking the Gold Coast and Brisbane by rail like never before. Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A is the proposed third stage of the world class transport system, extending the light rail south from Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads. It is the next part of a bigger plan to connect light rail from the heavy rail network at Helensvale Station to Coolangatta via the Gold Coast Airport.
In 2017, the City of Gold Coast completed a Preliminary Business Case for Stage 3A, including community and stakeholder engagement. The City is now partnering with the State Government to produce a Detailed Business Case for Stage 3A. Expected to be completed in December 2018, the Detailed Business Case will inform government about the proposed route, station locations, procurement, financial and budget implications of the project. Construction of Stage 3A could start in 2020, pending funding contributions from the Queensland Government, Australian Government and City of Gold Coast. “The first two stages of our Light Rail network proved to be a huge hit with the travelling public. Planning is now well advanced for completion of the business case to push ahead with Stage 3A and the community is overwhelmingly supportive of pushing ahead and taking the network through to the Airport and Coolangatta along with subsequent spur lines to centre in the west and north,” said Mayor Tom Tate.
LIGHT RAIL STAGE 3A KEY FEATURES • 6.7km between Broadbeach South and Burleigh Heads • Dual track centre of Gold Coast Highway • Up to 8 stations • 5 new trams • Two traffic lanes retained either side of light rail • Travel time approx. 16-17 minutes between Broadbeach South and Burleigh Heads
Construction Engineering Australia • Oct/Nov 2018
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