Big spend for city’s bad roads

AT least 22 roads on the Gold Coast are either at or over capacity at peak periods, according to a new Gold Coast City Council report.

Councillors at yesterday’s full council meeting were handed a mid-life review of the City’s 2013-2031 Transport Strategy. The council has announced a record transport spend of $544 million during the next four years, an increase of 32 per cent.

Only eight of the 22 roads in the new report were identified as council roads.

Those roads included the Gold Coast Hwy through Southport and Surfers Paradise, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina Parkway, Yalwalpah Rd in the city’s north and Christine Ave at Bermuda St. Other roads facing gridlock included Thomas Dr at Chevron Island, Benowa Rd and Somerset Dr.

Of the State-controlled roads challenged with congestion, the worst surround sections of the Pacific Motorway and the Gold Coast Highway.

Sections of the M1 facing stress include in the north between Coomera and Gaven, south between Robina and Tugun and the interchange at Oxenford.

The Smith St Motorway, Gooding Dr, Robina and Nerang Broadbeach Rd are other hots spots. The most congested sections of the Gold Coast Highway are around Harbour Town and Pine Ridge Rd.

In presenting a draft copy of the mid-life review, Mayor Tom Tate acknowledged a multi-pronged approach was needed to meet the Gold Coast’s emerging transport challenges. Highlights include:

• $288 million on road upgrades and intersection upgrades.

• $78 million on active and public transport projects.

• $178 million on maintaining our roads.