VIDEO: Gold Coast locals will have their say on the third stage of the region’s popular light rail line, after the state released new footage of its plans and set several community consultation dates.
Concept designs are in place for the third phase of Gold Coast Light Rail, which is actually the first half of the planned third section of the project, after Gold Coast Council decided splitting the stage in two would make the project more “viable and affordable”.
The state has invested $5 million to plan Light Rail Stage 3A, which will extend the existing line from Broadbeach South to a new terminus at Burleigh Heads, with planning for up to eight stations along a 6.7-kilometre route.
Dual track would be built down the centre of the Gold Coast Highway, with at least two traffic lanes retained on either side of the tracks.
The current plan will call for five new trams to be ordered as part of Stage 3A, “similar” to the 18 existing vehicles, which are Bombardier’s Flexity 2 model.
Department of Transport and Main Roads estimates once construction begins on 3A, it will take roughly three years to build.
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State member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the four planned community drop-in sessions would help the state progress the detailed business case, which is still being developed.
“The light rail has already proved to be an iconic and transformational project for the Gold Coast,” Scanlon said. “Since Stage 2 came online in December we have seen a 33% increase in light rail patronage overall, with more than 5.2 million trips taken in the first six months.”
The growth represents an increase of around 51,000 trips each week in 2018, compared to 2017.
“Population growth continues to place increasing pressure on the city’s road network which is why planning for this extension of the light rail system is essential,” transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey said.
“As we saw during the Commonwealth Games in April, trams can carry many more people while occupying less road space than cars. Without a change in how people move around the city, continued high levels of car dependency will result in further road congestion and associated delays.”