Tugun Bypass
The Tugun Bypass has been identified as an augmentation of the traffic flow arrangements along the Gold Coast Highway passing through seaside suburbs on the southern Gold Coast, Australia. It will provide a high-speed motorway link between the Gold Coast and northern New South Wales, separating interstate vehicles from local traffic.
The bypass will connect the Pacific Motorway between the Stewart Road interchange at Currumbin and the Tweed Heads Bypass north of Kennedy Drive. It is expected that it will significantly relieve traffic congestion in the existing road corridor.
It will carry the M1 designation and be officially called the Pacific Motorway upon completion of the route.
Funding
The project is jointly funded by the Queensland Government 78% and the Australian Government 22% at a cost of $543 million. Despite over 60% of the road being within New South Wales, there is no finanical contribution towards the road from the Government of New South Wales.
Modes
Initially the road will be 2 vehicle lanes in each direction with provision for widening to 3 lanes in the future. Despite the 3 governments involved all stating a commitment to cyclists in their transport plans there will be no access for pedestrians and cyclists.
Construction
The Queensland Government has appointed PacificLink Alliance to design and construct the Tugun Bypass. PacificLink Alliance comprises Main Roads, Abigroup Contractors and SMEC Australia. The bypass will be a 7 km four-lane restricted-access motorway with a posted speed of 100km/h. A tunnel will be built under the extension to the Gold Coast Airport runway. In 2025, widening will take place within the central median, since pro-visional plans allow/provide six-lane widening (even in the 400m tunnel) [1] "RTA and Tweed Council traffic master plan".
Progress
Heavy machinery is on the construction site which is surrounded by fencing. Construction will occur Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm and Saturday mornings.
Persons interested in the project are able to visit the community information centre in Boyd Street, Tugun. Freecall 1800 209 020.
Border marker
When the Tugun bypass opens to traffic, a big "attractive" Border marker will be unveiled on the border of QLD and NSW border.
Completion
The road will be opened to the public on 2 June 2008.[1]
Latest news about the Tugun bypass
- Anna Bligh refuses to pay Tugun Bypass tax bill
- Make road funding a big issue: Bligh
- Bligh announces open day for Tugun Bypass
- Tugun Bypass to shave 20 mins off journey
- Snail may stop $400m project
- Tugun bypass has dream run
- Weekly road conditions
- Tugun Bypass border marker competition – and the winner is…
- NSW-QLD Tugun Bypass to open in June
The Controversy
On Sunday 18th May 2008, days from the rivalry between the two states, the New South Wales State Government has hit The Queensland Government with the land tax charges for building part of the Tugun Bypass on NSW land. But Premier Anna Bligh has told her southern counterparts where to get off because they did not contribute to the $543 million project. Premier Anna Bligh was the mailed the land tax invoice of $235,607.40. She confirmed that the bill would be ignored by Queensland. "I don't expect the Maroons to give an inch to the New South Wales Blues this week, and I don't intend to either." as she quoted. The $543 million it cost to build the controversial bypass, the Federal Government contributed $120 million and Queensland paid the rest. About 4km of the 7km bypass is over the NSW border. "Of the total expenditure, $380 million – or 70 per cent – was spent in New South Wales," Ms Bligh said.
The NSW Office of State Revenue issued the bill to the Queensland Government on May 6, asking for the payment for five years worth of land tax assessments. The NSW Chief Commissioner of State Revenue Tony Newbury said Queensland could pay in three installments of $78,535.80 over the next three months. "Failure to comply with the payment options . . . will result in the imposition of interest and the instalment plan will be cancelled. Interest will be imposed on any outstanding land tax or penalty tax. The current rate is 14.37 per cent per annum calculated daily," he said. The assessments related to 16 properties in the Tweed Shire bought by the Department of Main Roads from 2001 for the bypass construction. Treasurer Andrew Fraser said at the time of the acquisition of the 16 properties, the NSW Government provided a transfer duty exemption to Queensland.
External links
- Queensland Government - Tugun Bypass Project
- Minister for Local Government - Tugun bypass cuts travel times
- Australian Government - Tugun Bypass approval to end motorists' woes
- Queensland Government,Office of the Premier - Tugun Bypass get final tick of approval
- AbiGroup, Tugun Bypass
- Border marker design unveiled
- Tugun on track for early finish
- Courier Mail - Anna Bligh refuses to pay Tugun Bypass tax bill
- The Gold Coast Bulletin - Bligh puts the skids under Bypass bill
References
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