New research: How the trams will save the southern Gold Coast from gridlock
The next stage of light rail will slice traffic congestion through busy southern Gold Coast suburbs in half, according to new research. HERE’S WHY
Gold Coast
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LIGHT rail from Burleigh to the border will more than halve traffic congestion through Palm Beach, according to new research.
City councillors at a transport committee meeting on Tuesday were given an updated briefing from officers on light rail stage four.
Officers said the M1 and western service roads were “clearly expected to do the heavy lifting with through traffic movements” in the next two decades.
Traffic on M1 would increase by 82 per cent over the next 20 years, they said.
“There is a forecast retraction of through traffic use of the Gold Coast Highway by more than half over the next 20 years with traffic crossing Tallebudgera Creek between Palm Beach and Burleigh Heads decreasing by nearly half,” officers said.
Traffic crossing Currumbin Creek between Palm Beach and Currumbin would stagnate, only marginally increasing over time.
The M1 and western service road would become the preferred route for local motorists for inter-suburban and cross-city trips.
Increased traffic due to the growing population would occur on sub-arterial, distributor, and some collector streets in the area.
“However, these increases still see these roads and streets continuing to operate well under the notional carrying capacity for their function,” officers said.
Nineteenth Ave, west of Mallawa Drive which provides an inter-suburban link between Palm Beach and Elanora, is used by about 9,000 vehicles per day. In 2041, it is forecast to carry about 13,600 vehicles.
“Traffic modelling for 2041 indicates that no roads in the area will have traffic volumes that will require widening to accommodate four traffic lanes,” officers said.
“Several intersections will require moderate-scale improvements to enhance their safety and mobility for all road users and optimise their performance during peak times.”
Traffic on the Tallebudgera Bridge would reduce from 30,000 vehicles a day to 20,000.
Officers told councillors the recent three months of community consultation had saw a focus on reducing some sections of Gold Coast Highway through Palm Beach from four lanes to two lanes to accommodate light rail.
The Transport Department after receiving feedback was “open minded” about future options.
Officers said the through traffic increase on the Gold Coast Highway would be halved as motorists opted for the trams. The growth in that traffic would be slowed and in some cases reduced.
Area councillor Daphne McDonald said she had raised concerns with officers about “rat running down residential streets” by motorists if the Highway was reduced from four lanes to two.
“It would make Palm Beach have four highways through Palm Beach,” she said.
Cr Glenn Tozer asked officers about the likelihood of a wildlife crossing at Burleigh Headland being built across the Highway and planned tram route.
Officers said the proposal was being given serious consideration by the Transport Department and community feedback had been positive.
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