Passenger Rail, Market Sectors

GoldlinQ leads Gold Coast Light Rail construction tender process

Tram leaving Broadwater Parklands on the Gold Coast Light Rail

GoldlinQ has been appointed, by the Queensland government, to lead the construction tender process for the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A project.

GoldlinQ chairman John Witheriff said the competitive tender process for design and construction would start by seeking interest from leading national and international companies.

“A shortlist of selected contractors will be determined early next year with a detailed tender process to follow, allowing a construction partner to be appointed and major works to start in the second half of 2020,” Witheriff said.

“Lessons learnt from Stage 1 were implemented in the delivery of Stage 2 and our focus is on ensuring value for money, an innovative construction approach and minimising community impacts.

“We are partnering with government to deliver this project and will work closely with industry throughout the process.”

The 6.4-kilometre southern extension is being fast-tracked after the federal government recently made an additional funding commitment of $157 million towards the project.

“Gold Coasters and people from across the world have embraced the G (light rail), with more than 42 million trips taken since stage one opened five years ago,” transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey said.

The state government and City of Gold Coast released a reference design for Stage 3A in 2018, as per which the 4km extension will be built in the centre of the Gold Coast Highway with eight stations between Broadbeach South light rail station and Burleigh Heads.

Construction is expected to take about three years, with light rail services to Burleigh expected to be operational in 2023.

Federal member for McPherson Karen Andrews said extending the Light Rail south to Burleigh would support the urban renewal of the Gold Coast – allowing commuters to travel between Broadbeach South Station and Burleigh Heads in just 16-17 minutes.

“Improving local public transport and making our city more connected will ensure the Gold Coast keeps pace with our projected population growth,” Andrews said.