On Track to a Commonwealth Games Legacy
18 January 2017
Queensland Government: More than 585,000 tonnes of earth
have been moved and the stockpiling of
rail tracks is under way ahead of
a $420 million, G:link led public transport evolution on the
Gold Coast
for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games, Stirling Hinchliffe
today inspected progress on the Stage 2 extension of the Gold Coast
light rail at the future site of Parkwood East station.
“This is legacy public transport infrastructure for the 2018
Commonwealth Games that will deliver unprecedented connectivity for the
Gold Coast, and it’s under construction right now,” Minister Hinchliffe
said.
“Site preparation along the 7.3 kilometre corridor from Helensvale Train
Station to Gold Coast University Hospital is advancing rapidly with
noise protection barriers being installed and two
bridge structures
under construction, before the laying of the first tracks in coming
months.
“The stockpiling of the 30 kilometres of rail that will be needed for
the dual track extension has begun with the first delivery arriving last
month.
“Here at the site of the future Parkwood East station, rock cutting
adjacent to the Smith Street Motorway is progressing at a cracking pace
with 36,000 tonnes of material removed.
“Work on building Parkwood East station will start in coming weeks. It
will match the look and feel of the existing G:link light rail stations
and be integrated into the local community with an open landscaped plaza
area and playground.”
Minister Hinchliffe said as a 2018 Commonwealth Games legacy project,
Gold Coast light rail Stage 2 was already delivering economic benefits.
“This is a gold medal winning project with $69 million spent with local
suppliers while the majority of the 934 workers inducted on site to date
live on the Gold Coast and surrounding areas,” the Minister said.
“Stage 2 of the Gold Coast light rail will play an important role during
and after the Commonwealth Games by connecting Helensvale Train Station
with Gold Coast University Hospital in 11 minutes and Broadbeach South
in 47 minutes.
“Already the much-loved G:link Stage 1 has helped to turbo-charge public
transport on the Coast to deliver a 32 percent increase in passenger
journeys on trams and buses, with Stage 2 now poised to become a
Games-changing legacy infrastructure project.
“It’s a big investment in region-building public transport
infrastructure for the Gold Coast.”
CEO for G:link operator GoldLinQ, Phil Mumford said work would continue
to accelerate in 2017 as track laying and other activities commenced.
“A substantial amount of progress has already been achieved and the
community will see the project really take shape in coming months as our
construction partner CPB Contractors increase activity including station
construction and track installation to allow tram testing to begin later
this year,” Mr Mumford said.
“We’re continuing to work with the community to minimise impacts with
significant work on the way including the placement of embedded tracks
across two road intersections.
“Each week you can see significant progress being made and we thank the
community for their continued patience as we construct this important
piece of transport infrastructure for the Gold Coast.”
“Work is also moving on four new Bombardier Flexity 2 trams that will be
added to the existing fleet of 14 light rail vehicles to maintain
current service levels when Stage 2 opens ahead of the Commonwealth
Games.”
Background:
-
More than 330,000 project hours since construction began in July 2016
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7.3 kilometre route from Helensvale heavy rail station parallel to the Gold Coast train line then the Smith Street motorway to connect with Stage 1 at the Gold Coast University Hospital light rail station
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Stage 2 will includes three new stations and two park ‘n’ ride facilities
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Bridges at Biggera and Coombabah creeks
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Project completion early 2018
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The $420 million light rail extension is funded by the Palaszczuk Government ($270m), the Australian Government ($95m) and the City of Gold Coast ($55m).
--ENDS--
Source: Queensland Government - www.statements.qld.gov.au
Contact: Media contact: 0475 950 772
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