The Coomera Connector bridge between Brisbane and the Gold Coast has hit major construction milestones across all three packages of the project, with stage one expected to open to traffic in sections from late 2025.
Jointly funded by the Federal and Queensland governments, the $3.026 billion, one kilometre bridge that spans the Coomera River, Hope Island Road and Saltwater Creek is taking shape, with 350 bridge girders installed and 13 bridge deck concrete pours completed so far.
Further installations will begin from mid-September on the 50 girders required for the overpass and pedestrian bridges over Helensvale Road.
Relates stories:
- Construction tender released, works begin on Coomera Connector Stage One
- Designs unveiled for Coomera Connector Stage One South
- Construction now underway on $2B Coomera Connector
More than one million working hours have been clocked by crews on the Stage one North package, where crews have been busy laying more than 1500 metres of asphalt.
This included the first section of the main motorway alignment near McPhail Road and in areas for future widening around the Helensvale Road interchange and Shipper Drive.
While bridge construction and asphalt laying continues in these areas, work on the Coomera Link Road section is due to begin, where a new signalised intersection will be installed at the Foxwell Road and Shipper Drive roundabout.
Set up of the site compound on the South package is underway and heavy vehicle access has been constructed at Boulton Drive to allow preloading works to start in the coming months.
Catherine King Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government said the Coomera Connector will improve safety, travel times and transport capacity.
“It will also ensure the viability of the M1 not only from a national freight perspective, but also as an intra-regional commuter route and an integral part of the region’s tourism system,” she said.
Anthony Chisholm Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland said the Coomera Connector will cut travel times for thousands of locals and visitors.
“When the M1 is congested, the impact can be felt on other motorways right across south east Queensland,” he said.
“Giving motorists other travel options is one of the best ways we can relieve our reliance on the M1.”