Coomera Connector Stage 1 North

Delivering

safer

and

more

reliable

travel

for

the

Gold

Coast

region

Coomera Connector (Stage 1) is a 16 km critical connection between Coomera and Nerang on the Gold Coast, Australia, that will relieve pressure on the M1 Motorway by providing an alternative route for local traffic and additional road crossings of the Coomera and Nerang rivers.

Stage 1 is being delivered in three construction packages: Stage 1 North, Stage 1 Central and Stage 1 South. SMEC is the Contract Administrator for the Stage 1 North package, which will open progressively for use from late 2025.

The Stage 1 package features a 4 km main alignment designed with four lanes and includes:

Construction of five bridges, three of which are located along the main alignment.
Grade separated interchanges at Shipper Drive and Helensvale Road and associated local road upgrades near the interchanges.
Upgrades to a section of Foxwell Road and Shipper Drive, known as the Coomera Link Road, and installation of a new signalised intersection.
Construction of a new bridge over the Coomera River and Saltwater Creek. At almost one-kilometre long this new 30-span bridge will prominently feature acrylic panels and a new share user path.
Construction of 4 km of motorway to four lanes (two lanes in each direction), in a configuration that also allows for a future minimal-construction-impact expansion to six lanes.
Installation of over 4 km of shared bike and pedestrian pathways.

SMEC also oversaw the contractors’ environmental investigations for the project, including fauna spotting and relocation, marine plant surveys, groundwater bore installation and water quality management. Our team provided advice to the contractors’ environmental team with relation to environmental approvals which helped to optimise and guide construction measures, ensuring the project remained on track. Additionally, we conducted environmental audits to ensure environmental measures and reporting was compliant.

Location

Gold Coast, Australia

Client

Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads

Start Date – End Date

2021-2025

Market

Roads, Highways & Bridges

Solutions

Independent Verification Environment and Social Impact Assessment

SMEC played an active role in monitoring and assuring construction quality throughout the project. Our verification team worked closely with contractors on site, carrying out inspections, checking compliance, and helping resolve technical issues quickly when they arose. By working collaboratively, we supported the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in achieving high quality outcomes for both the project and the wider South East Queensland community.

— Wee Teck Yeo, Principal Engineer - IV & Construction Services

Fostering Collaboration and Strong Leadership

To support the successful delivery of this package, SMEC’s specialists adopted a proactive approach fostering open and honest discussions with all stakeholders, to cultivate a shared understanding of issues and collaboratively develop long-term solutions. This cooperative approach built trust, strengthened relationships, and empowered the entire project team to address challenges as they arose and anticipate and mitigate future risks.

Our approach to collaboration is founded on problem-solving, underpinned by teamwork, accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement—always maintaining a no-blame environment. This is our signature to working with stakeholders and construction verification.

— Wee Teck Yeo, Principal Engineer – IV & Construction Services

Delivering safer and more reliable travel, now and into the future

The Coomera Connector will deliver significant benefits for the Southeast Queensland community. This vital infrastructure will enhance connectivity and accessibility to a broader range of transport options across the northern Gold Coast region. By reducing pressure on the M1 through providing an alternative route, the project will help improve travel time reliability between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, while also increasing safety by reducing congestion and queuing at key interchanges. Notably, the project will support the region’s projected population growth ensuring the transport network remains resilient and future ready.