How Gold Coast roads will change for Commonwealth Games
GOLD COAST motorists will notice major changes on roads from Hope Island to Coolangatta during the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Here’s how you will get to work during the Coast’s biggest event.
Commonwealth Games
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ROADS from Hope Island to Coolangatta will have dedicated Games-only lanes, new signs and signal changes under plans to ensure athletes and officials don’t get caught in traffic jams for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Business owners have been asked to keep workers and customers off key roads during busy periods as an extra six million journeys are taken through the city over the 11-day event in April.
More than 350 business owners attended the launch of the GC2018 Travel Advice for Business Program which aims to encourage flexible work arrangements, walking, cycling and public transport for locals going about their usual business in Games time.
Businesses will also have to look at how their freight, servicing and delivery operations could be impacted by the event, which will involve 6600 athletes and officials, 50,000 workers and volunteers, 3000 media personnel and up to 1.2 million spectators.
Designated lanes will be closed to general traffic on key city arterials under a proposed “Games Route Network”, which includes 27km of roads between venues, hotels and city entry points like the airport.
Motorists will also have to negotiate changes to traffic light timings, restricted turns and road closures, intersection changes and suspension or relocation of bus stops.
Ticketholders will receive free public transport to and from events, with buses a key part of the plan to move people around the city.
Ray White Surfers Paradise boss Andrew Bell said he would work on a plan with his 270 staff.
“The biggest challenge is trying to manage all the staff and their ambitions for the Games,” he said.
“We will need to help them manage their program over those two weeks so their livelihood is not affected.”
Draft Games Route Network:
* Smith St
* Gold Coast Highway (Southport-Broadbeach)
* Nerang-Broadbeach Rd (Broadbeach-Carrara)
* Ross St/Currumburra Rd/Olsen Ave (Carrara-Parkwood)
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