Shopping gridlock fix: Coast’s worst traffic intersection at Harbour Town finally fixed

An upgrade to a notorious intersection beside one of the Gold Coast's busiest shopping centres has been hailed as a game-changer for the area. HAS IT BEEN FIXED? VOTE NOW >>>

ONE of the Gold Coast’s busiest intersections has been upgraded two months ahead of schedule.

Work on the Gold Coast Highway intersection with Hope Island Road (Oxley Drive) and Labrador-Carrara Road (Olsen Avenue) – opposite Harbour Town – had sparked even further gridlock during peak-hour traffic.

But the project, jointly funded by the Morrison and Queensland governments, is finally finished, months ahead of the expected final date in the contract.

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A view of the newly upgraded Harbour Town intersection.

The road upgrades include additional right-turn lanes in both directions of the Gold Coast Highway and longer right-turn lanes on all four arms of the intersection to improve traffic flow and provided greater capacity

Federal Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Minister Paul Fletcher said the $10.68 million project would help bust congestion and improve safety for Coast commuters.

“The Harbour Town intersection upgrade is one of many critical infrastructure projects to receive funding from the Morrison government as part of its record $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline,” Mr Fletcher said.

“By busting congestion along critical sections of roads like this one, we’re helping people to get home to their families sooner and safer, we’re helping freight move more quickly between our cities, and we’re generating jobs across the country.”

Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the completed project was welcome news as time stuck in traffic would be time better spent with family and friends.

“On top of lost social time, congestion drains our economy through lost productivity, which is why the Palaszczuk government is backing a record investment in congestion-busting projects,” Mr Bailey said.

Fadden MP Stuart Robert, who has his office just east of the intersection, said the additional capacity introduced to right-turning lanes had improved traffic flow and reduced the potential for traffic accidents.

“This is one of the Gold Coast’s busiest intersections and this new layout will mean no more waiting three light changes to get into Harbour Town,” Mr Robert said

“The new bike lanes will improve cycling and pedestrian connectivity along Brisbane Road and improve connectivity within the broader active transport network on the Gold Coast.”

The federal government committed $5 million and the Queensland government provided $5.68 million for the upgrade.

November 28, 2019

More than $10 million will be spent upgrading one of the Gold Coast’s busiest intersections.

The State and Federal governments will jointly fund the revamp of the intersection of Gold Coast Highway and Oxley Drive near Harbour Town at Arundel-Biggera Waters.

The upgrade will include:

* Additional right-turn lanes on the highway.

* A new bike lane and pedestrian fences.

* Extending existing right lanes for vehicles.

Major works will begin next year after utilities are relocated.

The intersection of Oxley Drive and Gold Coast Highway.

Fadden MP Stuart Robert said the Federal Government would fund 50 per cent of the works.

“It is one of the busiest intersections on the Gold Coast and one of our worst bottlenecks, so I’m happy to see this project along with the Light Rail Stage 3A and upgrades to M1 exits on the northern Gold Coast fast-tracked through the acceleration of federal funding,” he said.

“To have the timeline accelerated on these vital projects is a big win for the Northern Gold Coast.”

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Dept of Transport and Main Roads image of how the junction will look after the upgrade.

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State Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the upgrade would lower congestion in the city’s north.

“Not only that, the project will drive local business growth, with 34 jobs in construction and engineering to be supported,” he said.

“It’s part of the Queensland Government’s multi-billion roads and transport budget for the region, which will also see $2.3 billion in jointly-funded upgrades for the M1 over the next four years.”