The Australian Government approved a A$ 95 million (USD 69.5 million) funding for Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2. The project will be finalized for the Commonwealth Games in 2018, linking five competition venues and nine events to accommodation and public transport interchanges.
For the Stage 2 of the project, the Council approved A$ 55 million (USD 40.2 million) additional financing. Queensland Government will annouce a preferred contractor in early 2016 following the conclusion of the Request for Tender phase on 23 December 2015.
The expression of interest process was completed in September, with six national and international consortia vying to construct the proposed 7.3 kilometre light rail alignment from the Helensvale heavy rail station and bus interchange to connect with Stage 1 at the Gold Coast University Hospital light rail station.
“Construction of Stage 2 of Gold Coast Light Rail will provide the missing link from the Gold Coast to Brisbane,” Prime Minister Hon Malcolm Turnbull said.
As congestion increases on the Pacific Motorway between the Gold Coast and Brisbane, the efficiency of the rail system and its mass transit capabilities become increasingly important for the region beyond the Commonwealth Games.
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