Gold Coast Light Rail - Stage 2

Project description

Construction of a 7.3km light rail system to extend the existing light rail from the Gold Coast University Hospital to connect with heavy rail network on the northern end of the Gold Coast at Helensvale, with new stations at Parkwood and Parkwood East and a new heavy/light rail interchange at Helensvale. The main features of the project are:

- 7.3km light rail corridor from Helensvale heavy rail station adjacent to the Gold Coast Line, then adjacent to the Smith Street Motorway to connect with Stage 1 at the Gold Coast University Hospital light rail station

- 3 new stations at Helensvale, Parkwood and Parkwood East, 160m bridge over Biggera Creek and 100m bridge over Coombaba Creek

- 1,000 car space park ‘n’ ride facility at Parkwood station and a 400 space expoansion of the existing park ‘n’ ride facility at Helensvale station

- Shared path adjacent to the rail track along Smith Street Motorway

- New at-grade pedestrian crossings at the stations and across the intersection of Smith Street and Napper Road

Benefits

Expected benefits of this project include:

- Addresses a number of transport challenges by easing road network congestion and responding to increasing demand for passenger transport, Connects the existing light rail network to the heavy rail network at Helensvale, which services the growing South East Queensland region and provides access to jobs and education opportunities

- Enhances the connectivity between Gold Coast and Greater Brisbane by providing a seamless one-transfer public transport journey, with 860,000 customers transferring at Helensvale each year in 2028

-  Provides customers with easy transfer between light rail, heavy rail and bus at Helensvale station, Provides improved access to key activity centres on the Gold Coast providing over 500,000 people with public transport within 60 minutes of the Southport CBD by 2028

Funding

The Australian Government will provide a capped contribution of $95 million, in partnership with the Queensland Government and Gold Coast City Council.

Timetable

Construction commenced in July 2016. The official opening of the Gold Coast Light Rail project was held in December 2017. Minor landscaping and finishing works are continuing.

Project last updated: 26 Sep 2019