Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 in the Ever-Growing City
Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 in the Ever-Growing City
Stage 2 will connect the existing light rail system at Southport to heavy rail at the Helensvale station.
The 7.3km route runs from Helensvale heavy rail station adjacent to the Gold Coast Rail line, then adjacent to the Smith Street Motorway to connect with Stage 1 at the Gold Coast University Hospital light rail station.
The Queensland Government has requested GoldLinQ, the operators of the light rail system, commence a procurement process for Stage 2 to select a successful contractor to design and construct Stage 2.
It is expected construction could commence in April 2016 to ensure the light rail extension is delivered and operational prior to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The City of Gold Coast has committed up to $55.1 million in funding while the Commonwealth Government has committed $95 million towards Stage 2.
Bernard Salt on Gold Coast Growth:
"This critical mass of people and of economic power will muscle its way into the political and economic landscape.
Sydney and Melbourne will lose their relative dominance.
Corporate jobs and high-end culture and inner-city edginess will be as much a part of the Gold Coast, as they are now of this nation’s most powerful cities."