Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A secures $112m investment

The Australian Government is investing up to $112 million towards the delivery of the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A in Queensland, which is set to slash travel times by about 16 minutes.

A media release from Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge stated: “More than 5.2 million trips made since the opening of Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 in December 2017, the addition of Stage 3A will provide further transportation options for local trips, further alleviating congestion for motorists using Gold Coast Highway to travel toward Brisbane.”

Stage 3A will comprise of a 6.4 kilometre extension of the Gold Coast Light Rail from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads. The project will support the growing city on the Gold Coast as well as connect communities to the services they need. 

“The project will bring many opportunities for urban revitalisation at the Burleigh Heads and Nobby Beach precincts and will support 2,400 jobs during construction and up to 39 per year during operation.

“The extension will also have an immediate impact on the South East Queensland region, providing better access to jobs and education opportunities,” the media release noted.

The Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A will also include building eight new light rail stations, upgrading pedestrian and cycling facilities as well as upgrading the bus interchange facility at Burleigh Heads.

Once construction is completed and the extended light rail is operational in 2023, travelling between Broadbeach South Station and North Burleigh Heads is anticipated to only take 16 minutes.

The light rail will be further extended with a future Stage 3B that will connect Coolangatta Airport to the earlier stages of the Gold Coast Light Rail, completing the entire corridor.

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Source: Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population; Department of Transport and Main Roads