Reference Project

Description

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Rapid TransitGold Coast

Gold Coast Rapid Transit Concept Design Impact Management Plan Volume 2 Chapter 4 – Reference Project Description

Vol 2 Chp 4 - 2

Contents

1. Introduction 3

2. Description of the Rapid Transit Core Route 4

2.1 Gold Coast University Hospital to Southport (Section 2) 4

2.2 Southport to Broadbeach (Section 3) 4

3. Proposed Future Routes 8

3.1 Helensvale to Gold Coast University Hospital (Section 1) 8

3.2 Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads (Section 4) 9

3.3 Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta (Section 5) 9

Figure Index

Figure 4 - 1 Gold Coast Rapid Transit Route (Sections 1 and 2) 6

Figure 4 - 2 Gold Coast Rapid Transit Route (Section 3) 7

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1. Introduction This Chapter provides a description of the proposed route of the GCRT and may be read in conjunction with Volume 4, Concept Design of the CDIMP. The Concept Design has been developed to meet the Project objectives. It has been developed using engineering principles supplemented by feedback obtained through consultation with the community and engagement with key stakeholders.

The rapid transit route (as illustrated in Chapter 1, Figure 1 - 1) has been defined to assist with clarity and consistency of presentation of information in the CDIMP, Business Case and to the community as well as being compatible with SEQIPP. The sections are defined as follows:

Stage 1: Helensvale to Broadbeach

Section 1 is from Helensvale to the new Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH)/Griffith University;

Section 2 is from the new Gold Coast University Hospital/Griffith University to Southport; and,

Section 3 is from Southport to Broadbeach;

Stage 2: Broadbeach to Coolangatta

Section 4 is from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads; and

Section 5 is from Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta.

The Concept Design and the business case are based on Sections 2 and 3 of the Project, from the Gold Coast University Hospital to Broadbeach South. This is also referred to as the core route.

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2. Description of the Rapid Transit Core Route

2.1 Gold Coast University Hospital to Southport (Section 2) Section 2 commences at the intersection between Olsen Avenue and Parklands Drive. A turnaround / layover area is proposed along Olsen Avenue, north of the intersection. The alignment continues along the north-east of the intersection before crossing to the median of Parklands Drive into a cut and cover tunnel, with the lowered University Hospital station located east of the intersection with University Drive1. The alignment continues east within a cutting until it reaches Alumni Place intersection, beyond which point continues at grade in the median of Parklands Drive. The alignment then shifts to the south side of Parklands Drive and continues at grade until Griffith University station, east of Engineering Drive.

A dedicated rapid transit bridge will cross Smith Street. The alignment continues east towards the future RT depot and around the existing GCCC depot. The alignment then proceeds south along the western side of Wardoo Street. The alignment crosses the Wardoo Street / Queen Street intersection at grade and continues along the northern side of Queen Street. From the junction of Beale Street, the alignment continues through the centre of Queen Street until the intersection with Nerang Street. From the Queen Street / Nerang Street intersection, the alignment continues at grade through a segregated corridor through the centre of Nerang Street, with a single traffic lane maintained in each direction.

The alignment continues east on Nerang Street through the intersection with High Street on an elevated median. At the Davenport Street roundabout, the alignment continues along the centre of Nerang Street through a pedestrian mall that extends to the intersection with Scarborough Street. The alignment continues at grade in a segregated corridor through the centre of Scarborough Street with single traffic lanes maintained on either side until the intersection with Queen Street.

The alignment continues at grade through the intersection within the median of Queen Street with two traffic lanes maintained in either direction until the intersection with Ada Bell Way. The alignment crosses the intersection at grade along the northern side of Queen Street through the existing Southport Croquet Club (which will be relocated). The alignment continues along the northern and western side of Brighton Parade to cross the Nerang River on a new dedicated bridge which is to be constructed on the western side of the existing Sundale Bridge. The new bridge will be constructed to match the existing bridge in terms of length of spans, position of piers and soffit level.

2.2 Southport to Broadbeach (Section 3) The Section 3 alignment commences at the southern side of the new dedicated two lane rapid transit bridge across the Nerang River and continues south through Macintosh Island along the

1 Further to work undertaken in preparing this CDIMP, there has been significant additional activity to finalise the concept design for the rapid transit alignment along the Parklands Knowledge Precinct and a rapid transit station to serve the main entrance of the new Gold Coast University Hospital. Reference should be made to the Parklands Knowledge Precinct Report that supplements the CDIMP and provides updated information on the proposed concept design and assessment of impacts.

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western side of the Gold Coast Highway. The alignment continues on this alignment past the junction of Admiralty Drive and over a new dedicated bridge structure at Jarriparilla Cove. The alignment then continues at grade through the intersection with Surfers Paradise Boulevard onto Ferny Avenue where the rapid transit system will travel on a raised median between the north and southbound traffic lanes. The alignment then continues east through the intersection onto Cypress Avenue where the rapid transit system will share the corridor with other road traffic before turning south through the intersection onto Surfers Paradise Boulevard. Local traffic will be permitted to share the northbound rapid transit lane on Surfers Paradise Boulevard between the junctions of Elkhorn Avenue and Cypress Avenue to allow property access.

The alignment then continues along a segregated corridor on the western side of Surfers Paradise Boulevard, with a single southbound traffic lane maintained for road traffic. There will be no northbound traffic permitted through Surfers Paradise Boulevard other than a section between Beach Road and Cavill Avenue. The alignment continues through the intersection with Remembrance Drive and the Gold Coast Highway where the rapid transit will travel on a raised median until the junction of Elizabeth Avenue. From Elizabeth Avenue the alignment continues along the western side of the Gold Coast Highway bypassing the intersection with Hooker Boulevard where the rapid transit system will terminate at a co-located bus interchange with Broadbeach South Station.

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Copyright: This document is and shall remain the propertyof GHD Pty Ltd. The document may only be used for thepurpose for which it was commissioned and in accordancewith the terms of engagement for the commission.Unauthorised use of this document in any way is prohibited.²

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Source: Aerial Photography Supplied by GCCC (2006)Approximate route options digitised by GHD current toDec 2007, maybe subject to change.Projection: MGA56 (GDA94)Date Printed: 30-01-2009File: G:\41\16445\GIS\MAP\Translink_Chapter_Figures\FinalTransLinkFigures_19012009\MXD\Chapter_4_Figure_4_1.mxdSize: A3 @ 30,000

TRANSLINKGOLD COAST RAPID

TRANSIT

Figure 4 - 1Gold Coast Rapid

Transit Route(Sections 1 and 2)

!( Proposed RT Station LocationSection 1: Option H1Section 1: Option H2Section 2Section 3

Marble Arch PlaceLocal Station

ArundelLocal Station

Biggera WatersRegional Station

Labrador NorthLocal Station

Labrador SouthLocal Station

University HospitalDistrict Station

Griffith UniversityDistrict Station

Proposed Gold CoastKnowledge Precinct

Wardoo StreetLocal Station

Gold Coast HospitalDistrict Station

SouthportRegional Station

Southport SouthLocal Station

Broadwater ParklandsLocal Station

Main BeachLocal Station

HelensvaleRegional Station

Existing HelensvaleRail Station

GavenLocal Station

Parkwood WestLocal Station

ParkwoodLocal Station

Parklands Drive

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Copyright: This document is and shall remain the property of GHD Pty Ltd. The document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the terms of engagement for the commission. Unauthorised use of this document in any way is prohibited.

Source: Aerial Photography Supplied by GCCC (2006) Approximate route options digitised by GHD current to Dec 2007, maybe subject to change.Projection: MGA56 (GDA94)Date Printed: 16-09-2008File: G:\41\16445\GIS\MAP\20080916\Chapter_4_Figure_4_2.mxdSize: A3 @ 25,000

Proposed RT Station LocationGCRT Corridor Section 3

Figure 4 - 2Gold Coast

Rapid Transit Route(Section 3)

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Main BeachLocal Station

Paradise WatersLocal Station

Cypress AvenueDistrict Station

Cavill AvenueDistrict Station

Surfer's ParadiseLocal Station

NorthcliffeLocal Station

Florida GardensLocal Station

Broadbeach NorthDistrict Station

Broadbeach SouthDistrict Station

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3. Proposed Future Routes

3.1 Helensvale to Gold Coast University Hospital (Section 1) Two outline alignment designs have been developed to link the proposed rapid transit system between Helensvale and the Gold Coast University Hospital. Two options have been developed between the Helensvale Rail Station and the Gold Coast University Hospital via either Harbour Town (H1) or Parkwood (H2). They are as follows:

H1: Helensvale to Gold Coast University Hospital via Brisbane Road and Olsen Avenue; and

H2: Helensvale to Gold Coast University Hospital via Parkwood.

Helensvale to Gold Coast University Hospital via Brisbane Road and Olsen Avenue (H1) This alignment would commence at the existing rail/bus interchange at Helensvale Station. The alignment would then continue north before rising over Brisbane Road, at the site for the future intersection with the Intra Regional Transport Corridor (IRTC). The alignment would continue east to enter the median of Brisbane Road east of Coombabah Creek. The alignment continues in an easterly direction, running down the centre of the Brisbane Road median up to Arundel Station at Captain Cook Drive. Two options currently exist to the east of Captain Cook Drive, either staying in the median or crossing over to the southern side of Brisbane Road to run at grade.

In the first option, the alignment would cross from the median to the north of Brisbane Road through an underpass and resurfaces to the east of Harbour Town Drive as it slowly rises to meet Biggera Waters Station, which is located in a cutting two metres below the natural ground level. The southern sub-option crosses from the south to the north of Brisbane Road in an underpass as well, resurfacing to the west of Harbour Town Drive, crosses Harbour Town Drive at grade and continues at grade up to, and including, Biggera Waters Station.

The alignment would then cut deeper to cross under Brisbane Road as it turns south to run along the western side of Olsen Avenue. After Labrador North Station, the alignment would cross to the eastern side of Olsen Avenue, before turning onto Parklands Drive where it enters the Gold Coast University Hospital Station in the central median. The H1 alignment is approximately 9.5 kilometres in length.

Helensvale to Gold Coast University Hospital via Parkwood (H2) This alignment would commence in a southerly direction from Helensvale Station. The alignment would allow for the future quad rail expansion of the Queensland Rail network and would run between the rail and future IRTC. The alignment would cross under the IRTC and over Napper Road to Gaven Station. The alignment would then continue in a southerly direction to the east of Smith Street. At the Smith Street Motorway on-ramp, the alignment would swing east to continue along the northern edge of Smith Street to Olsen Avenue where the rapid transit would continue north alongside Olsen Avenue before crossing over the intersection with Parklands Drive. The

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alignment would continue along the median of Parklands Drive to the Gold Coast University Hospital Station. The length of this alignment is shorter that the H1 option and is approximately 7.4 kilometres.

3.2 Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads (Section 4) Preliminary planning has been undertaken for the proposed Section 4 corridor between Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads. The proposed rapid transit alignment would continue on a segregated corridor from Broadbeach South Station along the centre of the Gold Coast Highway to Sixth Avenue, where it would travel east to the Esplanade. The alignment would then continue south along the Esplanade until the intersection with Tweed Street. The alignment would then continue along Tweed Street before continuing back onto the Gold Coast Highway.

3.3 Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta (Section 5) Preliminary planning has been undertaken for the proposed Section 5 corridor between Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta. The proposed alignment would continue along the centre of the Gold Coast Highway through to the Gold Coast Airport. The alignment would continue adjacent to the Airport Terminal before running onto Coolangatta Road. It would travel the length of Coolangatta Road before running along the northern side of Lanham Street. The rapid transit would terminate outside the Centro Tweed Shopping Centre located on Wharf Street.