Traffic has now started using the long-awaited Tugun Bypass, consigning one of Queensland’s worst traffic bottlenecks to history. Main Roads
Traffic has now started using the long-awaited Tugun Bypass, consigning one of Queensland’s worst traffic bottlenecks to history.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt says traffic have started using the new seven-kilometre stretch of road from 2pm today.
He says the southbound lanes had been opened first and northbound traffic was expected to commence by mid to late afternoon.
Pitt says he expected the congestion-busting $543 million project, completed six months ahead of schedule, to make an immediate difference to traffic flows on the southern Gold Coast.
“The dreadful congestion that regularly occurs on the Gold Coast Highway between Coolangatta and Tugun has been consigned to history, now that the Tugun Bypass is open to traffic,” he says.
“The wet weather meant that the opening was delayed by 24 hours but I am sure everyone will agree that the wait has been worth it.
“This road is expected to carry between 35,000 and 40,000 vehicles a day, with daily traffic projected to rise to 60,000 cars a day by 2017.
“It is also expected to save motorists an estimated $1.9 billion in reduced travel times and vehicle operating costs.
“Finally, the long-suffering motorists and residents of the southern Gold Coast will get some permanent relief from the congestion and traffic snarls that had become an all-too-common feature of the Gold Coast Highway along the Tugun stretch.”
The Tugun Bypass was funded by the Queensland Government ($423 million) and the Australian Government ($120 million).