Sundale doesn’t shine for Crichlow

Veteran councillor not happy with bridge plan

A FIFTH lane will be added to the Sundale Bridge at a cost of $10 million in a plan derided as “stupid” by a veteran councillor.

The Gold Coast City Council has released plans for the bridge connecting Southport and Main Beach as a part of a tender process, with the planning alone expected to take at least a year.

The work will involve removing an old pedestrian walkway and replacing it with a third northbound lane.

But the plans have not pleased Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow.

“I think it’s said.

“The majority of traffic is coming from the north to south during the important hours.”

Cr Crichlow lives near the bridge and says she regularly watches the movement of traffic.

The tender documents also detail upgrades to the Waterways Dr and Gold Coast Hwy intersection to increase the number of righthand turning lanes from two to three.

A second phase of work will convert the Waterways Dr and SeaWorld Dr roundabout to traffic lights, upgrade Waterways Dr to four lanes and install a sign to promote stupid,” she Southport-Nerang Rd as a secondary route to get to the M1.

The tender documents reveal traffic modelling had indicated the work would reduce traffic congestion and travel times in the area.

Acting mayor and Surfers Paradise councillor Gary Baildon said council was well aware of congestion issues.

“I am sure that people who have to travel these routes will be very pleased,” he said.

A council spokeswoman said construction dates would

I THINK IT’S STUPID. THE MAJORITY OF TRAFFIC IS COMING FROM THE NORTH TO SOUTH DURING THE IMPORTANT HOURS.

be determined when the design work was finalised.

“Traffic projections will be confirmed as part of further planning,” she said.

“However, preliminary modelling indicates that provision of three right turn lanes from Waterways Dr and across the Sundale Bridge will significantly reduce current congestion on Waterways Dr.”

The Sundale Bridge was opened in 1966.

Tell us what you think at goldcoastbulletin.com.au