BRISBANE, Queensland, Aug. 14 -- The Queensland Department of the Premier and Cabinet issued text of the following statement:

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for Veterans

The Honourable David Crisafulli

Minister for Transport and Main Roads

The Honourable Brent Mickelberg

* The Crisafulli Governmenthas todayannounceda major package of roadprojectsas part of theGold Coast Transport Plan,deliveringatwenty yearplanto get Gold Coasters home sooner and safer. * The plan includes delivering Stage 2 of theCoomera Connector,between Pimpama and Coomera, with expressions of interestfor thedesignnow open. * Several key Pacific Motorway interchanges will be upgraded, including Exit 82 at Robina,Exit54on ramp intersectionat Dreamworld,Exit38 at Yatalaand Exit 45 at Ormeau. * The Hope Island Bridge duplication at Jabiru Islandis also part of the plan,significantly reducing traffic congestion and catering to future demand. * TheCrisafulli Government is building the Gold Coast's future, after Labor's decade of decline left itsitting in congestion.

The Crisafulli Government hastoday released the full Gold Coast Transport Plan, with a package of road projects to get the Gold Coast home sooner and safer.

The Crisafulli Government's Gold Coast Transport Plan includesdeliveringStage 2 of the Coomera Connector, betweenPimpamaand Coomera, key upgrades to interchanges on the Pacific Motorwayand theJabiru Island bridge duplication.

Expressions of interest are openforthe design of the fivekilometresectionof the Coomera Connector Stage 2,which will improve safety and connectivity, while meeting the needs of a growing city.

Stage 2 of the Coomera Connector betweenYawalpahRoad atPimpama, and Shipper Drive at Coomera, will offer an alternative to the M1, reducing congestion and travel time during peak hour.

TheJabiru Bridge project willduplicatethe 236metreCoombabahCreek Bridge and the 194-metre flood relief channel bridge, reducingcongestionat the Crescent Avenue intersection,while also improving safety and accessibility to Jabiru Island.

The Plan will also see upgrades at key intersections including Southport-NerangRoad atMinnie Street, Reedy Creek Road betweenTareeStreet and Kortum Drive, and Gold Coast Springbrook Roadat Old Coach Road and Mclachlan Avenue.

SeveralPacific MotorwayExitswill also be upgraded including the Exit 54on ramp intersection at Dreamworld and Exit 92 interchange at Robina.

While active transportupgrades will alsosee new pedestrian bridgesover the Gold Coast Highwayat Broadbeach,paths along Nerang-Broadbeach Road to support Olympic Venues at Carrara Stadium, and new walking and cyclingconnections.

The delivery of critical road infrastructure follows other major announcements through the Crisafulli Government's Gold Coast Transport Plan, including:

* Gold Coast Light Rail extension from Gold Coast University Hospital toHarbour Town atBiggeraWaters. * Southern Gold CoastGC Surfermetro-style serviceconnecting Robina, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast Airport and Coolangatta. * Central Gold CoastGC Surfermetro-styleconnecting Nerang and Broadbeachwith corridor upgrades, to connectCarrara Stadium,heavyrailand the light rail. * Robina to Miami GC Surfermetro-style serviceto connectRobina Town Centre andBond University to heavy rail and the light rail. * Preserving the heavy rail corridor between Varsity Lakes to the Gold Coast Airport.

After a decade of underinvestmentbythe former Labor Government, the Crisafulli Government is delivering the roads and transport infrastructure needed to keep pace with growth and get Queenslanders home safer and sooner.

Premier David Crisafulli said the Government was getting onbuildingthe roads and transport infrastructure needed for the Gold Coast's future.

"We are delivering the Gold Coast Transport Plan to meet the growing needs of a growing city," Premier Crisafulli said.

"For too long the Gold Coast has been stuck looking in the rear-view mirror, but we are getting the city moving again, exactly as we promised.

"Coomera Connector Stage 2 will get more cars off the M1, reducecongestion and peak hour traffic, to get more Queenslanders home sooner and safer.

"The Gold Coast Transport Plan is a clear blueprint for the future, investing in better roads, better public transport and better connections right across the city."

MinisterforTransportandMainRoadsBrentMickelbergsaidtheCoomeraConnectorwasacriticalpartoftheGovernment'slong-termvisionfortheGoldCoast.

"TheformerLaborGovernmentfailedtokeeppacewithgrowthacrossSouthEastQueensland,leavingmotoristspayingthepricethroughworseningcongestionandlongertraveltimes,"MinisterMickelberg said.

"The Gold Coast Transport Plan is our response. We aredelivering a coordinated plan to tackle congestion, improveconnectivityand ensure infrastructure keeps pace with growth.

"The Coomera Connector is a critical piece of that network, and by bringing industry to the table early, we're strengthening the design, improving cost certainty and ensuring the project is delivery-ready."

MemberforBonneySamO'ConnorsaidnorthernGoldCoastershadlongcalledforinfrastructureinvestmenttomatchtheregion'srapidgrowth.

"FortoolongGoldCoastershaveonlybeenabletoeasilytravelbetweenourcity'ssuburbsbyjumpingontoanationalhighway,"MrO'Connorsaid.

"OurLNP teamhaslongfoughtfor alocalalternativetotheM1, andnowourCrisafulli Government has a plan to deliver this road and take it to more of the places it needs to go in our city's north.

"This announcement complements our commitment to upgrade some of the Gold Coast Highway's most congested intersections around Arundel and Coombabah as part of our comprehensive Gold Coast Transport Plan."

Member for Coomera Michael Crandon said Stage 2 of Coomera Connector was a major win fornorthern Gold Coastcommuters.

"With the success of Stage 1 North of the Coomera Connector already making a huge difference for Northern Gold Coast commuters,planning for Stage 2 is the next logical step,"MrCrandon said.

"This will berecognisedand will be welcomed by residents who have suffered with major congestion brought on by Labors failure to plan, over the past 10 years."

Member forTheodore Mark Boothman said the Crisafulli Government was getting the Gold Coast moving.

"The Gold Coast is growing and we're working to deliver the road upgrades and transportation infrastructure to get our local residents home safer and sooner,"MrBoothman said.

The Gold Coast Transport Plan can be foundhttp://tmr.qld.gov.au/gold-coast-transport-plan

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT:Mardi Norton,0467 746 523

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.