MainRoads
Project update November 2008 Gold Coast Highway upgrade and bus lanes (Broadbeach to Miami)
Road upgrade rolls on to Stage 2
Between Broadbeach and Miami, the Gold
Coast Highway is being fully reconstructed
and updated to modern standards, with
continuous 24-hour bus lanes, to support
expansion of the public transport network
with more frequent and reliable bus services.
The first stage (Alexandra Avenue to Hilda
Street) was finished in mid-September
and the construction team is now heading
south, to extend this road upgrade down
to Chairlift Avenue, at Miami.
The State Government has prioritised this
project in the South East Queensland
Infrastructure Plan and Program (SEQIPP)
and the TransLink Network Plan to promote
development of the Gold Coast public
transport network, with a current
allocation of $26.1 million. Construction
of Stage 2, will be completed in mid 2009.
(See project plan on inside pages).
Project benefits
Full road reconstruction involves removing existing road pavement and trucking it away.
This part of the schedule is particularly vulnerable to disruption to wet weather.
>> Road safety
The median is being fenced to ensure all
pedestrians cross the road at intersections
with traffic signals, for safety. These are
no more than 800 metres apart. All six
lanes are being upgraded with new traffic
signals, line markings, street lighting, and
provision for cyclists in the four-metre
wide parking lane.
>> Continuous bus lanes
Reduced travel times and improved
reliability of public transport services will
encourage more people to use bus services.
>> Improved traffic flow
Stage 2 will continue the same lane
configuration as Stage 1, with separate
bus lanes, and turning lanes at all
signalised intersections. In Stage 1,
drivers preparing to turn are now merging
across and out of the general traffic lanes.
This is eliminating hold-ups caused by
motorists waiting to turn and giving the
through-traffic the best possible run.
Timelines
>> Better traffic management
>> Preliminary service relocations
started July 2008
Stage 2 will upgrade the signalised
intersections at Heron Street and Markeri
Street, where extra turning lanes will be
added. Between Surf Street and Wave
Street, another set of signals will provide a
new pedestrian crossing and u-turn lanes.
Stage 1: Alexandra Avenue
to Hilda Street
>> Completed September 2008
Stage 2:Hilda Street
to Chairlift Avenue
>> Construction start October 2008
>> Holiday break late December –
mid-January 2009
>> Construction completion mid 2009
Inside pages: Project plan for Stage 2
Stage 2 construction and
service upgrades
Main Roads has been working closely with
the Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) and
TransLink to ensure this upgrade fits with
plans for improved services and utilities in
the area. Nine new TransLink bus shelters
have already been installed by GCCC
contractors at most new bus bays along
Stage 2. Since July, underground and
other services have been relocated around
the Markeri Street intersection, including
water, electricity, gas and
telecommunications. Gold Coast Water
has recently been upgrading a large water
main that runs southbound under the
parking and bus lanes for almost the full
length of Stage 2. Main Roads will also be
installing two new stormwater crossings
under the road for council’s master
drainage scheme.
Back page: Construction
Main Roads – Connecting Queensland
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Main Roads – Connecting Queensland
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Gold Coast Highway upgrade and bus lanes (Broadbeach to Miami)
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Project update November 2008
Gold Coast Highway upgrade and bus lanes (Broadbeach to Miami)
Project consultation
Signals, fencing
and safety
>> Fencing
The average width of the new road, kerb
to kerb, is about 32 metres, and the
median is being fenced so that all
pedestrians will cross with the safety of
traffic lights. With six traffic lanes, two
parking lanes and one turning lane at
each intersection, the days of pedestrians
risking a mid-block crossing are over.
Of 13 fatalities on this road (1992-2006)
11 were pedestrians.
What to expect during Stage 2 construction:
Reconstruction of the median strip between Tamborine Street and Wave Streets will be
the first main focus, starting on the southbound side, then the northbound. During this
work traffic will be moved across to the outer lanes (the current parking and bus lanes)
and on-street parking will not be available on the highway. This will enable two lanes of
traffic to remain open in both directions to minimise traffic delays. There will also be
some intermittent lane closures near Markeri Street during early works for new traffic
signals and for stormwater improvements. Further information about the schedule will be
provided as the works progress.
>> Roadworks & inconvenience -
>> Lane closures -
during construction every effort is made to
minimise disruption to businesses, residents,
and motorists, but some inconvenience is
unavoidable. Most work will be done
between existing kerbing and impacts will
be mostly noise, access inconvenience and
lane diversions.
between Tamborine Street and Wave
Street, the bus lanes and parking lanes will
be used for general traffic at times, so that
two lanes of traffic can remain open. This
will minimise congestion. Near Chairlift
Avenue and Markeri Street it will be
necessary to do more work with only one
lane open each way.
>> Pedestrian crossings
>> Temporary road surfaces -
The new traffic signals have been set to
allow people of all ages to cross the
whole highway at a comfortable walking
pace, provided they start crossing while
the pedestrian “Walk” light is green.
Once the flashing red “ Don’t Walk”
starts, pedestrians should not begin to
cross, but everyone who started
crossing while the signal was green
should still have plenty of time to reach
the kerb on the far side.
Turning vehicles are required to give
way to pedestrians while the red “Walk”
is flashing.
during construction when layers of asphalt
are replaced, sections of road surface will
be rough at times. Motorists are asked to
drive with extra care.
>> Access restrictions access to properties and side streets may
be restricted for short periods. Main
Roads will advise highway-frontage
properties ahead of time. Footpath access
to all properties will be maintained.
>> Parking changes the remaining angle parking is being
converted to parallel so that existing
sections of bus lanes can be joined and
used for general traffic during
construction. Temporary line marking will
make the changes before construction.
>> Speed and site safety during construction the speed limit will be
40kph through the project site, for safety.
Motorists are asked to drive with extra
care, follow the detour signs and expect
frequent on-road changes.
>> Safety is everyone’s
responsibility our construction team will do all it can with
signs and barriers to keep the road safe.
However we all need motorists to slow down,
drive to the conditions and obey the traffic
signs, signals and traffic controllers. If you
have any safety concerns during construction
please contact Main Roads immediately.
Plan your trip
>> Weather delays are unavoidable -
Before setting out
and the duration depends on what we are
doing when it rains. If the ground
underneath the road surface gets very wet
there may be a considerable delay. Rain
also disrupts our sub-contractors’
schedules, so getting back to work may
take a while after rain stops.
>> Log onto www.131940.qld.gov.au for
traffic updates
>> Phone toll free road information: 13 19 40
>> Allow extra travel time, try a different route
or try public transport.
>> It is not possible to estimate how long some sections of works will take.
Reasonable notice will be provided via
letterbox flyers and email to highwayfrontage properties. Roadworks information
is also available via radio traffic reports,
advertisements, roadside signage and by
phone or website, on 13 19 40.
>> Hours of work will generally be between 6.30am and 5pm.
On some occasions, work may continue
through until 10pm or even later. Every effort
will be made to minimise noise at night.
Further information
Main Roads Regional Office
36-38 Cotton Street, Nerang
Mail: PO Box 442, Nerang QLD 4211
Ph:
5596 9500
Fax: 5596 9511
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mainroads.qld.gov.au, then
>> click on ‘Public & Road users’, then on
‘Road Projects’ and search by road name.
Safety around roadworks. It’s a two-way street.
Main Roads - Connecting Queensland
www.mainroads.qld.gov.au
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