Long weekend, end of school holidays creates perfect storm of traffic chaos on Gold Coast

THE end of the school holidays, a long weekend and a crash on the M1 ... it’s all adding up to traffic chaos on all major roads on the Gold Coast today.

THE long weekend and the end of school holidays has plunged the Gold Coast into traffic chaos today.

The M1 is slow going south from Ormeau down to Currumbin with major delays around Robina and Reedy Creek.

All main roads leading to the beach or the Broadwater are clogged with heavy congestion on the Gold Coast Highway through Southport and Surfers Paradise, and especially around The Spit.

Traffic almost at a standstill on the Gold Coast Hwy at Southport. Photo: Kristy Muir

EARLIER

The M1 has been bought to a standstill once more with traffic backing up more than 20km after a motorbike and truck crash near Nerang.

Three lanes of traffic were closed for more than an hour after the crash about 11.15am.

The motorcyclist has been taken to hospital with a pelvic injuries and multiple fractures to his arm.

It's slow going through Surfers Paradise this afternoon. Photo: Kristy Muir

He was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.

The crash added to a day of extreme traffic grief across the Gold Coast with many roads congested.

Traffic is now bumper-to-bumper on all major arterial roads including the M1, Bundall Rd, and the Gold Coast Hwy. Southern lanes are particularly badly affected, however the M1 is congested in both directions from Coomera to Coolangatta.

Traffic almost at a standstill on the Gold Coast Hwy at Southport. Photo: Kristy Muir

The traffic jams come as Queenslanders celebrate a long weekend and the last weekend of the school holidays.

Police are urging motorists to take care on the roads this coming long weekend.

Motorists heading home and away for holidays are urged to take precautions and drive safely.

“Police presence on the roads will be increased and RBTs will be anywhere, anytime,” a spokeswoman said.

Traffic almost at a standstill on the Gold Coast Hwy at Southport. Photo: Kristy Muir

“This long weekend also sees the grand finals played for NRL and AFL. If you intend drinking alcohol while you watch the game, make sure you have a plan to get home safely.

“Pay attention to the Fatal Five; speeding, seat belts, fatigue, inattention and drink driving. “Motorists towing caravans or trailers are urged to ensure they are correctly loaded and secured and that vehicles are in roadworthy condition.”