Coomera Connector sees new significant project milestones

The delivery of Queensland’s Coomera Connector – also referred to as the Second M1 – is progressing well as it reaches new project milestones. 

Stage 1 

Stage 1 North of the Coomera Connector is steadily being built, with more than 50 per cent of the 117 bored piles already cast for the new Coomera River Bridge. 

The almost 1-kilometre-long Coomera River Bridge will run from the northern bank of the river, crossing the river to Hope Island Road and then across Saltwater Creek. The new bridge will consist of 29 headstock, 498 girders and 117 bridge columns. 

Piling works are due to be completed by the end of this year and the separate overflow structure north of the river will commence works soon after. Construction of the new Coomera River Bridge will continue until 2025. 

On the other hand, initial works to upgrade Coomera Link Road at the northern end of this project section will begin next month. 

Stage 1 North will span 4 kilometres from Shipper Drive, Coomera to Helensvale Road, Helensvale. This section will consist of about 6 kilometres of drainage pipes, 648 concrete girders as well as over 950,000 tonnes of fill brought to site and a 4.19-kilometre shared active transport path. 

“The Coomera Connector is the largest single road project in the state and will reduce heavy reliance on the M1, improving safety, capacity, travel time reliability and accessibility for all road users. 

“This is one of the fastest growing regions in the country, and it’s important we continue to invest in new and improved road and transport options to meet current and future demand. 

“The Coomera Connector will improve safety, transport capacity, travel time reliability, and accessibility for all road users. 

“Works have ramped up over the past six months since construction started and it is wonderful to see the new motorway taking shape,” Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said. 

Coomera Connector Stage 1 map (source: Department of Transport and Main Roads)

Other sections of Stage 1 are also progressing with design and site investigations already underway for the Central package from Helensvale to Molendinar and for the South package from Molendinar to Nerang. 

An early works contract for Stage 1 Central was awarded in February this year and a major contract is expected to be awarded in late 2023. Design details for the Central package will be released in early 2024 along with the beginning of early works. 

Meanwhile, Expressions of Interest for early works, main works and contract administration contracts have been released for Stage 1 South. Contractors for the early works package have already been shortlisted and tenders are currently being prepared for the predominantly earthworks and preloading package south of the Nerang River. 

Details for the design of Stage 1 South are expected to be released next month. 

Major construction on Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector commenced in March 2023 and the new motorway is anticipated to open progressively to traffic from late 2025. 

The Australian and Queensland Governments have jointly funded $2.16 billion towards the Coomera Connector Stage 1 development between Coomera and Nerang. This project is estimated to support an average of 1,000 direct jobs over its life. 

“As our city grows, we need to make sure it keeps moving – whether that’s on the road, via rail, light rail or on buses. 

“This project was a commitment I made and this milestone shows that we’re pedal to the metal on delivering it. 

“We need to build big now for the families that call the Gold Coast home today and into the future. It means better transport services but also good jobs for tradies in our city,” Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said. 

Coomera Connector Future Stages 

While construction is progressing on Stage 1, planning for future stages of the Coomera Connector is also getting underway. 

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has announced that it will be making amendments to the gazetted corridor for the future stages of Coomera Connector between Loganholme and Coomera. 

Multi-criteria assessments were carried out to evaluate three locations, namely Coomera, Pimpama and Eagleby. 

Through the assessment, an amended corridor alignment at the three locations was determined to possibly achieve significant benefits in reducing impacts on native vegetation as well as wetlands of significance at Eagleby while improving connectivity to the Coomera Connector for local residents. 

TMR has already commenced the re-gazettal process for the future stages of Coomera Connector, in line with standard planning policies. 

In addition, discussions with impacted property owners are also underway. 

Formal gazettal of the Coomera Connector future stages will not take place until the finalisation of the business case. 

“The Coomera Connector is a game-changer for South-East Queenslanders. 

“It means less time stuck in traffic and more time with your loved ones. 

“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. 

“Identifying opportunities where we can minimise the impacts on the environment is an important part of planning Australian and Queensland Government infrastructure projects and I welcome the changes to the alignment,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

Feedback on the concept design is also being sought for the future stages that will deliver the remaining 29 kilometres of Coomera Connector. The community feedback will be used to inform the project’s business case – which is expected to be completed in late 2023. 

Community consultation period is open until 24 November 2023. During this time, TMR will share details on the concept design including interchange locations and layouts developed as part of the business case. 

You can have your say at information session in the local community as well as by phone, email or by completing an online form on the TMR website. 

The Australian and Queensland Governments have committed a total of $22 million to get planning works going on the future stages of Coomera Connector from Loganholme to Coomera. 

Once Stage 1 and the future stages are completed, the 45-kilometre Coomera Connector will serve as a new north-south motorway between Logan and the Gold Coast. The new corridor will help relieve congestion on the M1 by providing an alternative route for local trips. 

“I encourage the community to provide feedback on the concept design for the Coomera Connector (Future stages) project. 

“Since 2022 we have been working on the business case and conducting comprehensive environmental studies for the future stages corridor, from Loganholme to Coomera. 

“Community consultation on the Coomera Connector (Future stages) planning will showcase the work that’s been done to develop a robust business case for the Coomera Connector between Loganholme and Coomera. 

“With construction on Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector now underway, momentum is building for the delivery of one of Queensland’s largest transport infrastructure projects. Future Stages will provide the critical link to significantly reducing the number of vehicle trips on the M1,” Minister Bailey said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements (1, 2); Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads (1, 2); Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government