Coomera Connector (Stage 1), Coomera to Nerang
The Stage 1 section of the Coomera Connector between Coomera and Nerang is around 16km and has been identified as the priority section to be built first.
ConstructionCoomera Connector
The Coomera Connector (sometimes referred to as the Second M1) is a future state-controlled north-south transport corridor between Loganholme and Nerang, east of the Pacific Motorway (M1) and the heavy train line.
The new road will be an alternative to the M1, providing more transport capacity to support the rapidly growing residential and business communities in the northern Gold Coast and neighbouring Logan areas.
The complete gazetted corridor extends for 45km between the Logan Motorway and Pacific Motorway interchange in Loganholme and Nerang–Broadbeach Road in Nerang.
The Coomera Connector will be delivered in sections:
- Southern section - Stage 1 between Coomera and Nerang will be delivered in 3 packages:
- Stage 1 North: Shipper Drive, Coomera to Helensvale Road, Helensvale
- Stage 1 Central: Helensvale Road, Helensvale to Smith Street Motorway, Molendinar
- Stage 1 South: Smith Street Motorway, Molendinar to Nerang-Broadbeach Road, Nerang.
- Northern section - future stages between Loganholme and Coomera.
Coomera Connector
Benefits
- Improves safety
- Increases capacity
- Improves network efficiency
- Increases traffic flow
- Reduces peak hour congestion
- Reduces interchange queuing
- Reduces travel time
- Contributes to economy
- Better active transport
Key features
- 16km high-speed motorway.
- 4 lanes in each direction:
- North package (Shipper Drive, Coomera to Helensvale Road, Helensvale)
- South package (Smith Street Motorway, Molendinar to Nerang-Broadbeach Road, Nerang)
- 6 lanes in each direction:
- Central package (Helensvale Road, Helensvale to Smith Street Motorway, Molendinar).
- 4 new interchanges:
- Helensvale Road
- Gold Coast Highway
- Smith Street Motorway
- Southport-Nerang Road.
- 2 new intersections:
- Shipper Drive
- Nerang-Broadbeach Road.
- 2 new bridges crossing the Coomera and Nerang rivers.
- 16km adjacent active transport path with connections to local roads and key community hubs.
- Wildlife crossings to support identified fauna corridors.
- Nerang to Coomera section on 18 March 2016
- Coomera to Stapylton section on 12 May 2017
- Stapylton to Loganholme section on 15 March 2019.
Background
The Coomera Connector (formerly known as the Intra Regional Transport Corridor) will be a key link in an expanded road transport network between Loganholme and the Gold Coast, where residential and business communities are growing rapidly.
Since the 1990s, the corridor has been identified in various public planning documents, such as published street directories, regional transport plans, planning studies and City of Gold Coast planning schemes.
A joint 2015 study between TMR and City of Gold Coast confirmed the corridor as a future strategic transport link that will relieve traffic congestion on the M1 and surrounding local roads.
The Coomera Connector was formally declared a future state-controlled road, confirmed in the Queensland Government Gazette in 3 sections, the:
Formal confirmation of the corridor in the Queensland Government Gazette allows the corridor to be protected from new development and provides certainty for property owners, businesses and residential communities on the northern Gold Coast.
Our team continues to liaise with property owners when dealing with land sales and development applications. Early acquisition of properties by TMR may occur in some circumstances.
Community consultation
Initial community consultation on the Coomera Connector was undertaken in late 2019.
The consultation program included a series of 10 community drop-in sessions along the 45km project corridor, plus online engagement activities.
There was significant interest from the community with 3200 visits to the website, more than 2000 people visiting the community drop-in sessions to talk with the project team, and 700 pieces of feedback received.
A telephone survey of 1000 residents and businesses revealed 4 out of 5 people in the project corridor area support the introduction of the Coomera Connector.
Further consultation on the whole corridor was carried out in late 2020 and early 2021, and Stage 1 consultation occurred in March 2023 (North package), November 2023 (South package) and March 2024 (Central package).
Read more about community consultation for Coomera Connector (Stage 1) and Coomera Connector (Future stages) projects.
30 Projects in Coomera Connector
Beerburrum Road, Twin View Road and English Street, intersection upgrade
Upgrade the intersection of Beerburrum Road, Twin View Road and English Street, Elimbah
Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1)
The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade will increase the capacity and reliability of the North Coast Line, enabling more efficient travel and improved passenger and freight connections between the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Brisbane and beyond.
Bruce Highway (Gympie – Maryborough), Tiaro Bypass, construct four lane bypass
Planning is complete and the detailed design stage has commenced for a new four-lane section of the Bruce Highway to the east of Tiaro. The project will increase the flood immunity, safety and efficiency of the Bruce Highway and future-proof the road to cater for growing traffic volumes. It will also remove a significant number of heavy vehicles from the Tiaro township, improving safety and liveability for residents.
Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), Gairloch Floodway, improve safety
Detailed design is underway to improve safety and reduce flood-related closures on a complex section of the Bruce Highway at the Gairloch floodway, located about 6km north of Ingham.
Bunya Highway (Dalby – Kingaroy) and Patrick Street, upgrade intersection
The department is investigating low-cost, high-benefit safety options to reduce the risk of vehicle and pedestrian accidents and rear end crashes associated with vehicles turning right across oncoming traffic.
Safety improvements being considered include upgrading traffic signals to allow motorists to turn right only on a green arrow, installing dedicated right turn lanes, removing some car parks to improve traffic flow, and installing new line marking.
Caboolture-Bribie Island Road, Hickey Road to King Johns Creek
Design is underway for the future duplication of Caboolture-Bribie Island Road from Hickey Road to just west of King Johns Creek. The project includes signalising the Hickey Road intersection. The upgrade will increase capacity and improve safety on this section of road.
Cairns Western Arterial Road, Redlynch Connector Road to Captain Cook Highway, duplication
The department is undertaking a $300 million project to duplicate the Cairns Western Arterial Road between Redlynch Connector Road and Captain Cook Highway.
Cannon Hill Shopping Centre bus facility, design bus station
The Cannon Hill Shopping Centre bus facility is proposed to be upgraded.
Coomera Connector (Future stages) Loganholme to Coomera, planning
Planning is underway for the future stages of the Coomera Connector – the remaining 29km between Loganholme and Coomera.
Coomera Connector (Stage 1), Coomera to Nerang
The Stage 1 section of the Coomera Connector between Coomera and Nerang is around 16km and has been identified as the priority section to be built first.
Coomera Connector Stage 1 Central
Stage 1 Central of the Coomera Connector is the 8km section from Helensvale Road to Smith Street Motorway.
Coomera Connector Stage 1 North
Stage 1 North of the Coomera Connector is the 4km section from Shipper Drive to Helensvale Road.
Coomera Connector Stage 1 South
Stage 1 South of the Coomera Connector is the 4km section from Smith Street Motorway to Nerang-Broadbeach Road.
Coominya Connection Road, Buaraba Creek, replace timber bridge
The Buaraba Creek timber bridge replacement project will improve safety and network reliability by replacing the existing narrow, timber bridge (Neithe Bridge) with a new wider, two-lane, concrete structure in the same location.
Cunningham Highway (Ipswich – Warwick), Tregony to Maryvale, improve safety
The project will deliver safety improvements to provide a better driving experience for all road users and reduce the risk of fatal and serious injury crashes.
David Low Way cycle facility
On-road bicycle lanes are being constructed to improve safety at Marcoola and Mudjimba.
Garbutt-Upper Ross Road, Halliday Street to Gouldian Avenue, improve safety
The department is undertaking safety improvement works at various locations across Garbutt – Upper Ross Road (locally known as Thuringowa Drive and Riverway Drive) from the Halliday Street/Thuringowa Drive intersection to Gouldian Avenue/Riverway Drive intersection.
Gaythorne train station park 'n' ride, design and land acquisition
Detailed design has started for future expansion of parking facilities at Gaythorne station.
Gore Highway (Toowoomba – Millmerran) and Toowoomba–Athol Road, improve safety
Detailed design for safety improvements of the Gore Highway (Toowoomba – Millmerran) and Toowoomba–Athol Road between James Street and Wyreema–Athol Road are underway.
Gympie – Brooloo Road, design active transport crossings
Detailed design is underway for active transport bridges and pathways to connect Southside to Gympie's CBD and surrounds.
Kin Kin Road - widening upgrade at Kin Kin range
Design and construction to rehabilitate and widen priority sections of Kin Kin Road (locally known as Pomona Kin Kin Road) is underway. This will improve safety, reduce maintenance costs and improve ride quality on Kin Kin Road.
Mooloolaba to Maroochydore cycleway, design cycleway
The department is partnering with Sunshine Coast Council to deliver the Mooloolaba to Maroochydore cycleway which will provide a bicycle path connecting Mooloolaba to Maroochydore.
Nicklin Way, Third Avenue extension, new intersection
An ultimate project footprint has been identified for the Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade, including the Nicklin Way, Third Avenue extension.
Pacific Motorway, Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill Upgrade
Work is being undertaken on the Pacific Motorway, Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill Upgrade, to improve 8kms of the Pacific Motorway (M1) between the Gateway Motorway and Watland Street.
Pialba–Burrum Heads Road, O’Regan Creek, upgrade existing floodway
This upgrade will improve flood resilience for Hervey Bay and surrounding communities and involves pavement realignment, widening and culvert upgrades.
Proserpine - Shute Harbour Road, Paluma Road to Tropic Road (Cannonvale), duplication
An upgrade is being delivered to a 1.5km section of Proserpine-Shute Harbour Road in Cannonvale.
Sunshine Motorway, Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade (Stage 1)
The Sunshine Motorway, Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade will address well-known safety and congestion issues that are forecast to increase due to regional population growth and development, while also delivering improved north-south connectivity on the Sunshine Coast.
Toowoomba Connection Road, James Street and Hume Street, upgrade intersection
Detailed design of safety improvements for the Toowoomba Connection Road intersections with Hume Street and Neil Street is underway.
Toowoomba–Cecil Plains Road, improve safety
Detailed design commenced in October 2023 and is expected to be completed in June 2024.
Warrego Highway (Ipswich - Toowoomba) and Mount Crosby Road interchange
The department has completed planning to identify a preferred option for the upgrade of Warrego Highway – Mount Crosby Road interchange.
