The first stage of the Coomera Connector will be ready for traffic
The Coomera Connector Stage 1 North will open to traffic early tomorrow morning, delivering a safer and faster journey for those travelling between Coomera and Helensvale.
This four-lane, four-kilometre section of the Coomera Connector, to be known as the M9, is a critical piece of infrastructure for the northern Gold Coast.
This new route will provide a vital alternative route to the M1 for local commuters between Shipper Drive in Coomera and Helensvale Road in Helensvale.
The Coomera Connector Stage 1 North project included:
- Building interchanges at Shipper Dr and Helensvale Rd and 4kms of shared paths
- Constructing an almost 1km bridge over the Coomera River and Saltwater Creek
- 65,000 tonnes of asphalt laid on the main section of road and local roads.
- Over 60 traineeships and apprenticeships
- 94 per cent of project spend with South East Queensland suppliers.
It is the first of three packages to open, with the Central package recently marking one year of construction and early works recently completed and main construction forging ahead on the South package.
Work is progressing on environmental approvals for the remaining 29km of Coomera Connector between Loganholme and Coomera, and detailed design for Stage 2 – from Yawalpah Road in Pimpama to Shipper Drive in Coomera – will begin next year.
Once complete, the 45km Coomera Connector will transform travel between Logan and the Gold Coast, reducing congestion on the busy Pacific Motorway, improving freight efficiency, and supporting the region’s economic growth.
The project was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, with a $1.5 billion contribution from the Commonwealth and $1.9 billion contribution from the Queensland government.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King says the upgrade was a win for motorists.
“Any local that’s sat on the Coomera stretch of the M1 during peak hour traffic will know what a difference this connector will make,” King says.
“The opening of the M9 will mean a safer, more reliable and smoother journey for thousands of commuters a day.
“This is not just an investment in South East Queensland’s infrastructure but in jobs and the local community.
“This new infrastructure is all about reducing travel times, and it’s arrived just in time for the Christmas break, so commuters can get home earlier to their loved ones.”
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