The $163 million Coomera to Helensvale rail duplication project has passed the halfway mark and is on track to be completed in late 2017.
Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport, Jackie Trad, said six of the eight new rail bridges are almost complete.
“With 413 days to go until the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, the $163 million Coomera to Helensvale duplication project is on track and the finish line is now in sight,” Ms Trad said.
“This major infrastructure project will support more than 200 full-time construction jobs and so far workers have clocked more than 260,000 construction hours in the race to build eight new bridges and duplicate 8.2km of heavy rail track.
“It’s a very exciting time for the Gold Coast and the Palaszczuk Government is absolutely committed to ensuring public transport services are ready for the Games.
“The Coomera to Helensvale rail duplication will not only support the Gold Coast region to host the largest sporting event in Australia this decade, but will also cater for the region’s growing number of residents and visitors into the future.”
Ms Trad said work on the bridge over the Coomera River, Hope Island Road and Saltwater Creek represented the busiest and most complex phase of the duplication project.
“This bridge over the Coomera River will be longest spanning 860m and is a major engineering task,” Ms Trad said.
“The complex task of building the bridge across the 220m wide section of Coomera River has commenced, with marine piling works expected to continue until the end of this month.
“When this project is complete seven piers will be constructed in the river.”
Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate, said he was pleased with the progress of the work to date.
“I’m impressed with the pace Minister Trad has set since taking over the transport portfolio,” Mr Tate said.
“Duplication of the heavy rail line makes absolute sense and I know has been underway for some time.
“Efficiency and frequency of service is paramount with all forms of public transport and this will go a long way towards ensuring more services for the Gold Coast direct in to Brisbane.’’
