Travel time from Southport to Main Beach is projected to be reduced from 35 to eight minutes during peak periods with the addition of a lane on the Sundale Bridge and an upgrade to a Waterways Drive intersection.
Initial funding for the $34 million road project is set to be endorsed in the 2019-20 City Budget tomorrow.
Mayor Tom Tate announced the project today, saying it will increase network capacity along the popular arterial route connecting Main Beach and Southport.
“As well as the fifth lane on the Sundale Bridge the project will involve six-laning of the Gold Coast Highway by demolishing the old pedestrian path on the bridge and adding a third southbound lane on the Gold Coast Highway from Waterways Drive to Tedder Avenue,” he said.
“By the time the works are complete, we anticipate travel time between Southport and the Spit being reduced to eight minutes.”
Works to improve traffic flow will also include upgrades to Waterways Drive and its intersections and a signalised pedestrian crossing on Macarthur Parade adjacent to the Southport Yacht Club. The project is expected to take two years.
Mayor Tate said community consultation on the City Budget had revealed transport and traffic as the number one issue.
“We’ve listened to our ratepayers in determining the priorities for this budget,” he said.
“With the population expected to double by 2050 we need to have the transport infrastructure, sustainable travel options and traffic flow solutions necessary to support that growth and maintain productivity.”
Another significant congestion-easing project being funded through the budget is the $55 million
Isle of Capri Decongestion Project, which is due for completion in early 2021.
Funding for the Capri project from the 2019-20 Budget will total $25 million.
