Early works have already begun on the next stage of the M1 project, laying the foundations for main construction works to commence.
Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector will deliver a new 16km connection between Coomera and Nerang, with construction occurring in three phases: North, Central and South.
Once complete, the road is expected to remove up to 60,000 local trips from the M1 per day, easing congestion and providing an alternative route for the growing communities and commercial hubs of Helensvale and Coomera.
The project will also facilitate public and active transport, with a shared pedestrian/cycle path with connections into existing and future active transport networks along the route.
The areas south of the Nerang River will be the focus of the early works, which will include relocating service utilities and earthworks and ensuring the site is construction-ready.
The Federal and Queensland Governments have each committed over $1.5 billion to plan and construct the Coomera Connector Stage 1 project. This includes an additional $432 million each in this year’s state and federal budgets to ensure its delivery.
This investment will support an estimated 1,000 direct jobs over the life of the project.
Coomera Connector Stage 1 North between Shipper Drive and Helensvale Road is underway and expected to open progressively from late 2025 while early works are underway on Stage 1 Central between Helensvale Road and Smith Street Motorway.
The main construction tender for the South package has now been released and has narrowed the preferred contractors to a list of three.
These three contractors will now undertake detailed assessment, looking at innovative ways to build this section of the Coomera Connector.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King, said the Coomera Connector will transform the lives of South-East Queenslanders, knocking 10 minutes off their journey between Coomera and Southport.
“We know that road congestion is a significant issue for the region and a drain on the economy which is why we’re getting on with delivering this critical piece of infrastructure,” Ms King said.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish said getting works started on Stage 1 South of the Coomera Connector is a fantastic milestone, laying the foundations for main construction works for this section from Molendinar to Nerang.
“Tender for major construction on this package of work has also just gone to market.
“As the Gold Coast continues to grow, we’re getting on with the job of building a future-proofed road that will connect communities and get people home safer and sooner.”
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