New Coomera Connector divides drivers as some vow to ‘avoid it like the plague’ while councillor pleads: ‘Use it’
The first stage of the Coomera Connector opened this week but northern Gold Coasters are divided over whether it will ease congestion or simply push gridlock to new locations. VOTE IN OUR POLL
Northern Gold Coast residents are divided over whether the first section of the $3.5bn Coomera Connector will ease their commuting nightmares, with some vowing to “avoid it like the plague” and others saying it won’t deliver promised congestion relief until fully completed.
The first section of the connector between Shipper Dr and Helensvale Rd opened to traffic at 5am Tuesday – just five weeks after bridge cracks delayed the launch.
The M9 route is designed to absorb approximately 60,000 of the 150,000 vehicles the M1 carries daily, but locals are unconvinced the initial section will make any real difference.
Helensvale resident Sigrid Brown, 55, said she “plans on avoiding it like the plague”.
“I still haven’t used it,” she said.
“It won’t help me with work at all.
“I travel to Helensvale Rd daily, sometimes two-three times a day depending on work – and extra traffic does concern me.
“I’m not sure if people will start trying to use Discovery Dr as a rat run to get on the M1 further south.
“Discovery (Dr) is quite a nightmare at school times as it is.”
Ms Brown questioned the claim that 60,000 cars a day would be taken off the M1.
“That’s not actually going to happen until the entire road is done to Nerang,” she said.
“At the moment it is a novelty for some, and there will be plenty that will use it, but not 60,000.”
Fellow resident Marty Davey, 40, called it a “Band-Aid solution”.
“I still don’t know why they didn’t go straight to three lanes each way,” he said.
“Do it once and do it right and then we will see good gains and benefits.
“The road currently won’t do much in terms of congestion busting, just pushing it to new locations, once completed fully will help (sic).
“But we will no doubt look at adding the extra lane in the future to cope with traffic loads.
“I will use it and look forward to going all the way to Logan Mwy interchange.”
Warren Barnyard, 56, said the connector won’t be beneficial until it is completed through to Nerang.
“At the moment, it’s only going to take the gridlock to Helensvale Rd and east to Hope Island Rd and beyond to Paradise Point,” he said.
Helensvale Councillor Naomi Fowler urged residents to give the route a chance, saying feedback from those who have used it had been positive.
“Helensvale has been feeling the pressure for years,” she said.
“While exact time savings will vary, the goal is to reduce congestion by diverting vehicles that don’t need to be on the M1 and service roads. This means shorter queues at intersections and more predictable travel times for residents.
“This is just the first stage and we wont feel its full impact until the next stages are complete.”
But her message is simple: “Use it”.
“The Coomera Connector is here to make life easier, so take advantage of the alternative route and help ease pressure on the M1 and local roads.”
“Council will continue monitoring traffic patterns and I will continue to advocate for further upgrades, including pushing for Helensvale Rd to become duplicated.”
Ms Fowler said the key pinch points had been Helensvale Rd at Monterey Keys Drive and Siganto Dr, plus Discovery Dr.
She said a $2m upgrade at Siganto Drive, which is planned to be completed in the coming 12 months, will further ease traffic congestion around the connector interchange and she will continue to advocate for the duplication of Helensvale Rd.
“Unfortunately that’s not as simple as it sounds,” she said.
“One side borders RAMSAR-protected wetlands, the other is lined with homes, and the estimated cost is around $200m to ratepayers.
“Council has completed the detailed traffic modelling and will be monitoring traffic, modelling upgrades, and advocating for state involvement and funds to hopefully progress to a duplication in the next decade when it is likely required.”
The Coomera Connector is a planned 45km north-south motorway between Loganholme and Nerang.
This initial section is the first of three stages.
The central and southern sections are slated to open before the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
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Originally published as New Coomera Connector divides drivers as some vow to ‘avoid it like the plague’ while councillor pleads: ‘Use it’
