Coomera Connector work at The Surrounds to see Sage St bridge closed for upgrade works

A Gold Coast bridge which has only been open to traffic for only five months is facing closure for major modification works. Here’s why.

A bridge to a luxury Gold Coast housing development which has only been open to traffic for five months will have to be rebuilt because it isn’t big enough.

The bridge, which connects residents of The Surrounds in Helensvale with nearby Millaroo Drive, was hailed as a “game changer” when works to connect it with the local road network were finally completed at the end of May.

However in answer to a question from Bonney MP Sam O’Connor, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Sage St bridge would have to be closed “for a period of time” because it wasn’t wide enough for the Coomera Connector.

“The Sage Street bridge connecting to Millaroo Drive remains part of the permanent design

and may be a key connection for residents of ‘The Surrounds’ during (Coomera Connector) construction activities,” Mr Bailey said.

“It is noted the Sage Street bridge will need to be lengthened to span across the Coomera

Connector, requiring its closure for a period of time.

“However, as the design and construction program have not yet been finalised, impacts to the Sage Street bridge cannot be confirmed at this stage.”

The Sage St bridge connecting The Surrounds in Helensvale to Millaroo Drive. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Like a similar “ghost” bridge over the railway line in Pimpama, the structure had existed for a number of years but could not be accessed by vehicles.

It was only finally opened to traffic at the end of May when approach roads were built.

Stage One Central of the Coomera Connector, which will pass The Surrounds, is scheduled to begin construction next year.

Mr O’Connor said it was extraordinary that the works may need to be “ripped up” so soon after the bridge was finally opened.

“The bridge was a legacy thing from years ago. But the road going into it and the whole street that accesses it is brand new,” Mr O’Connor said.

“ … This is just another example of another poor process with the council. They clearly have not been talking with each other properly.

“They have allowed the council to push ahead with this road, and apparently they are doing this detailed design work on the Connector. It doesn’t stack up.”

How the Sage St bridge looked before its recent upgrade. Picture: Google Maps.

Mr O’Connor also quizzed the Minister on how Coomera Connector construction works would impact residents in The Surrounds, Arundel and Parkwood.

“Site investigations are currently underway to inform the design of the Stage 1 Central package of the Coomera Connector, which extends from south of Helensvale Road to the Smith Street Motorway,” Minister Bailey said.

“I am advised that in the coming months, once the design is suitably progressed, TMR will be in a position to provide nearby residents with further detail.”

Bonney MP Sam O’Connor. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Mr O’Connor said it was “very disappointing” that “basic details” were still not available to residents.

“We’re in October. Where is the detail? It’s apparently going to be starting very soon and we just don’t have any details about what this major project is going to look like in our area,” Mr O’Connor said.

“We’re getting to the pointy end of this now. And I don’t know how they don’t have more to say.”

Mr Bailey last week told the Bulletin information would be communicated to residents as soon as it became available.

“We will certainly be communicating as we have information that is finalised and is clear,” he said.

“This is such a large project that we have broken it up into three sections, north, central and south. And so we get through all the different preparation for the different sectors in different times. And as we finalise that and go to market and we have the finalised designs we will certainly be communicating with people.”

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