Traffic expert: $10m plan to upgrade Sundale Bridge might not work in bid to reduce congestion

A GOLD COAST traffic expert has warned widening Sundale Bridge and allowing for changes in direction of travel might not solve the congestion issues plaguing the bridge.

A motorcyclist tries to get past the heavy traffic along the Sundale Bridge heading to The Spit. Photo: Regi Varghese

A GOLD COAST traffic expert has warned widening Sundale Bridge and allowing for changes in direction of travel might not solve the congestion issues plaguing the area.

Mayor Tom Tate yesterday said about $10 million would be set aside in the 2017-18 budget to redesign the Sundale Bridge between Southport and Surfers Paradise.

Those redesigns include removing the old pedestrian walkway to create an additional lane of traffic.

“We are testing the bridge now,” Cr Tate said. “Design works have commenced, they will help alleviate traffic over the bridge.”

Heavy traffic on Sundale Bridge heading to the Spit, Gold Coast. Photo: Regi Varghese

Cr Tate said the council would also explore placing contraflow lights which would allow the direction of traffic in one lane to be changed during peak hour.

Traffic expert and Griffith University Associate Professor Matthew Burke said an additional lane would only increase the road’s capacity by between five and 15 per cent.

He also pointed to the experience at Coronation Drive in Brisbane’s west, where the Brisbane City Council removed contraflow lanes after the technology failed.

“It can be an expensive exercise and you would have to get it right,” he said.

Dr Burke said the Sundale Bridge would be an easier project because it was shorter and had no turn-off points like Coronation Dr.

The traffic expert said while the plan would alleviate some pain, if ASF’s proposed integrated resort development at The Spit went ahead other traffic management plans would have to be put in place, including a proposed second bridge.

“It also means finding ways to get a greater portion of travel to happen without a motor car,” he said.

Dr Burke said this meant better light rail connections, improved bus services and potentially a ferry service.

Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow has her doubts about Mayor Tom Tate’s plan.

Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow was sceptical about the mayor’s plans.

“We haven’t even got a costing on the bridge,” she said.

Cr Crichlow said she was not sure if it was possible to lower the pedestrian walkway to street level.

A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesman said while the state government owned the bridge, a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed giving the responsibility of any upgrades of the bridge to the Gold Coast City Council.