Road bridge in northern Gold Coast could help M1 commuters spend less time on road

A road bridge in the city’s fast-growing north has sat idle for 25 years as thousands of motorists crawl past it at 4km/h.

A ROAD bridge in the city’s fast-growing north has sat idle for 25 years as thousands of motorists crawl past it at 4km/h.

But developers, opposition politicians, fed-up residents and traffic groups say we need to get over it to ease some of the worst traffic congestion in the state.

Coomera MP Michael Crandon and residents are petitioning the State Government to open the bridge as a link between Old Pacific Hwy and Kosciuszko Cct in Pimpama. They say it would dramatically cut down travel time on Yawalpah Rd, where drivers are taking up to 30 minutes to snail 2km.

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State Member for Coomera, Michael Crandon, is calling for the Government to allow the use of the existing road bridge over the Gold Coast rail line, currently on private land, between Old Pacific Highway and Kosciuszko Circuit. Picture: Jerad Williams

Developer Norm Rix, owner of the adjacent property, said it would cost less than $1 million to connect the bridge and it would be open within three months.

He said he had already gifted the approach to the bridge to the Gold Coast City Council to allow for a new road.

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“I want the Government to do everything in its power to open up this bridge to the use of local people,” Mr Crandon said.

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The secret bridge in question. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Allowing the link should be the first priority to take pressure off the one-lane rail bridge on Yawalpah Rd.

“We have seen 30 per cent growth in the Pimpama region in the last few years and opening up the alternate route to the M1 is bound to take a lot of pressure off.

“The Government must act or tell us why it can’t be done.”

It is estimated Pimpama’s population will balloon from 9161 people in 2016 to 25,931 people by 2036.

Queensland Rail owns the bridge, which overrides the heavy rail line. The surrounding land is owned by two developers and the responsibility to upgrade the bridge surface and add the road connections rests with the Gold Coast City Council.

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Developer Norm Rix and State Member for Coomera, Michael Crandon want to open up the unused bridge. Picture: Jerad Williams

The council has already submitted applications to the State Government to open the bridge.

When quizzed by the Bulletin this week about the bridge, the State Government said a decision was imminent. However, it would not elaborate on when construction could begin.

Mr Rix, who has offered to build a train station in the area, said he had been in negotiations with the council over the vital build.

“Council are well aware there is a problem and have done all they can to have the bridge opened,” he said.

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“Basically, the delays have been with the rail. We are ready from our end — this is not going to wait three years.

“All the frustration is over the plans for a station, but the bridge must come first.

“Hopefully the Government realise the extreme urgency of this matter.”

RACQ head of public policy Rebecca Michael said: “Once constructed, the road bridge is likely to ease traffic congestion on Yawalpah Rd and create a useful link between the Gainsborough Greens housing development and the proposed Pimpama train station and new shopping centre.”

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Pimpama resident Tracy Swain said her daughter took the bus to school, just a few kilometres away, because of the traffic.

“If I drop her off it takes 30 minutes to get along Yawalpah when it should be five minutes. I refuse to sit along Yawalpah not moving,” she said.

Pat Reynolds, a salesman, said he changed jobs to avoid the morning crush.

“The road is chock-a-block from 6am and was the main reason I changed jobs,” he said.

“It is frustrating for me that the northern Gold Coast is completely forgotten and the growth we need has taken so long.

“Opening the bridge should give a good run on to the M1.”

Queensland Rail said it was aware of council plans to ­upgrade the bridge and open it as a public road.

“Last week, council submitted their final design drawings and an engineering report to Queensland Rail for consideration and our response is imminent,” CEO Nick Easy said.

“We understand that council is also engaging with the Department of Transport and Main Roads regarding its application to open the road on the bridge to the public following the upgrade works.”