Gold Coast traffic: New pedestrian bridges for Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach

Bridges have been declared the solution to the Gold Coast’s traffic woes. Get ready to see a network of bridges crossing waterways from some of the Glitter Strip’s most famous streets. FULL LIST

A NETWORK of bridges will be rolled out as a solution to the Gold Coast’s congestion nightmare.

The Gold Coast City Council is preparing to fund a raft of pedestrian “green” bridges which will run between major population areas in a bid to get people out of their cars and onto the shoe leather.

The bridges, along with the light rail extension and ferry service, are part of a “congestion-busting” series of projects which city leaders say will help improve travel times.

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Where council intends to build bridges.

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The first bridge proposed will connect central Surfers Paradise with Chevron Island.

Mayor Tom Tate said the bridge would be used by locals and tourists.

“It is my vision that we have another green bridge so you can walk from Lionel Perry Park at the end of Cavill Ave to Chevron Island,” he said.

“This will complete the loop and means everyone from Surfers Paradise will be able to walk to the Home of the Arts.

“They can walk or catch a ferry.

“I view Chevron Island as being part of the cultural precinct with it being home of the art corridor and I have already said to the residents there that they are the people to live inside the home of the arts.”

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Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate. Pic Tim Marsden

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It will run between Lionel Perry Park at the river-end of Cavill Ave to Austin Gilchrist Park on the Island.

Early planning has already begun with the intention of funding it in the 2020-21 financial year.

A $19.5 million green bridge is already under construction connecting Chevron Island to Evandale.

But the Chevron Island bridge will be just the first of a series of green bridges which council is planing to roll out by 2023.

They include:

* A bridge at Reedy Creek at Old Coach Road.

* Design for a bridge between Isle of Capri’s Etna Street and Gooding Park in Surfers Paradise

* Design for a bridge connecting Broadbeach Waters’ Eady Ave to Savoy Drive.

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The HOTA green bridge at Chevron Island.

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These bridges are among 54 major transport projects that council is planning to roll out in the next four years as part of a $544 million decongestion push which was triggered by unexpectedly rapid population growth.

Griffith University transport expert and associate professor Matthew Burke said the bridges served both a congestion reducing and economic development role.

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Griffith University Associate Professor Matthew Burke . (AAP Image/Claudia Baxter)

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“We are recognising the value these bridges have, not just for transport but in terms of tourism dispersal and local economic development,” he said.

“They build up patronage and the savings can be pretty major if we get the kind of travel behaviour change that council is trying to achieve.”

Cr Tate said the infrastructure spend would improve the city’s liveability, with more than 1 million people expected to be living on the Coast by 2041.

“With the growth pressure we are facing, we need better transport system balance,” he said.

“Increasing walking, cycling and public transport will help manage traffic congestion and protect our economy, lifestyle and environment.”