Traffic woes as crowds descend
ACTION TODAY: TRAIN: BROADWATER residents last night were given a final warning to remove their parked vehicles as the triathlon course was being cleared.
After several days of the roads being clear of congestion, about 100,000 fans are tipped to attend events including triathlon, swimming and hockey, and tens of thousands more will go to Games festivals, with most of the action along a tight strip today from Broadbeach north to Labrador.
Triathlon, between 9.30am and 3pm, is tipped to cause gridlock, and Marine Pde is closed near the Aquatic Centre for swimming. Residents have been advised to use alternative western routes to the main north-south connections fronting the Broadwater.
Games organisers yesterday issued a final warning that parked vehicles not removed from the triathlon route by 6pm would be towed away.
The triathlon course affects roads from Charis Seafoods south across Loders Creek to North St.
Mapping created by Games organisers advises residents to drive west and use Turpin Rd.
But late yesterday there remained confusion among some residents about whether they should move vehicles.
Tickets to view the triathlon at the Southport Broadwater Parklands are gone but residents were encouraged to seek free vantage points.
Games organisers said these precincts would be busy:
• Southport, Labrador – road closures and diversions due to the triathlon, the Aquatic Centre and Hockey Centre.
• Surfers Paradise – with Games Lanes reducing capacity of Gold Coast Highway, and Festival 2018 on the beach attracting about 20,000 people. The Esplanade is closed from midday to midnight daily.
• Broadbeach – both venues in play with two sessions each of bowls and netball. Games Lanes will reduce capacity of the Gold Coast Highway. Both Festival 2018 sites are in action, attracting up to 20,000 fans.
Other key busy corridors with Games Lanes include Smith St, Olsen Ave at Labrador, Ross St at Carrara and both Nerang Broadbeach Rd and Hooker Blvd.
The Pacific Motorway is expected to be busy in both directions between Exit 66 (Smith St) to north of Exit 54 (Coomera) and between Exit 82 (Robina) to north of 95 (Currumbin).
Trains on the Gold Coast line heading toward the Glitter Strip will be packed from about 7am until about 11am and toward Brisbane from 3pm to 7pm and after 11pm.
Light rail is expected to be busiest during the afternoon and from 10pm.