Over $1.5 billion have been committed by each of the federal and Queensland state governments for the first stage of works on the Coomera Connector, which looks set to change the landscape of transport in south-east Queensland.
The Connector will be delivered in three stages – North, Central and South – and will deliver a second M1 freeway, which will take up to 60,000 local trips off the existing highway per day.
The areas south of the Nerang River will be the focus of early works, which will include relocating service utilities and earthworks to ensure the South site is construction ready.
Stage 1 North between Shipper Drive and Helensvale Road is underway and expected to be open in late 2025.
The final project will deliver a new 16-kilometre connection between Coomera and Nerang.
“We know 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,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King says.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish says the construction will support continuing population and industrial growth in the Gold Coast region.
“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,” Mellish says.
“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.”
The main construction tender has been narrowed down to a list of three preferred contractors, who will now undertake a detailed assessment of the project.
The project is set to support roughly 1000 direct jobs over the course of its construction.
More information on the Coomera Connector Stage 1 South can be found here.
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