Expansion Light Rail is considered to four new different routes in Gold Coast

After the inauguration of the new light-rail in Gold Coast the city councillors are already looking into four new tram connections across the city to increase the length of the service. Links from the coastal strip to Robina, Parkwood, The Spit and Coolangatta are among 11 suggested extensions listed in the council’s City Plan 2015 scheme.

The proposed spur lines would connect with the existing 13km of the first stage, which opened to passengers this week. Council maps indicate trams would run along the Gold Coast Highway south of Burleigh to Coolangatta, with western tracks running to Robina from Broadbeach, Elanora from Palm Beach and Gold Coast Airport from Bilinga.

The Spit line would run from Main Beach just south of Sundale Bridge and could run as far north as Marina Mirage. However, none are likely to be completed by the 2018 Commonwealth Games which will be held in Gold Coast. Even council documents would be thinking about the chance to link light rail with the airport, but this is not expected for up to 20 years.

The State Government’s proposed second stage linking Griffith University with Helensvale could potentially be built by 2018 if work begins soon.

Also Coolangatta councillor Chris Robbins said construction of an airport link was “essential” to the success of public transport on the Gold Coast. “The second stage has to connect with the heavy rail in the north and I am happy for this to happen but the airport must be its next destination,” said the Council planning director Gail Connolly

City figures revealed last year suggested linking trams from Griffith University to Parkwood is could cost upward of $330.6 million, while the stage two route to Helensvale via Harbour Town would come in at $1.1 billion.

By Santi Ivar

Sources: Goldcoastbulletin.com.au