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Media Releases My electorate office distributes information which is important to the Southport electorate in particular, and the Gold Coast in general. This information goes to the print and electronic media, however due to space or time constraints it doesn’t always get printed or broadcast. Through my website however, you can access all news stories which emanate from my office and thus keep up-to-date with State Government issues relating to Southport.
Lucas Welcomes Budget Funding for Frank Street Bottleneck |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Jun 17 2004 |
| Media Releases >> |
The Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas, today welcomed a State Budget announcement that the Gold Coast Highway bottleneck at Frank Street will be widened from two to four lanes.
Mr Lucas announced funding for the immediate commencement of the $15 million project, with the 2004/05 State Budget providing $900,000 this year as part of ongoing funding for the project, due to be finished in 2006/07.
"I pay tribute to the Member for Broadwater, Peta-Kaye Croft, and the Member for Southport, Peter Lawlor, who have been relentless in pushing for this project," he said.
"Peta-Kaye and Peter told me in no uncertain terms that they wanted to see the Frank Street widening get the nod in this year's Budget and would not cop any delays.
"This project will include widening the Gold Coast Highway from two to four lanes from Robert Street to Stevens Street, including widening of the bridge over Loders Creek.
"There also will be intersection improvements at Stevens Street, Marine Parade (South) and Robert Street."
Member for Southport Peter Lawlor welcomed the funding which followed Mr Lucas' inspection of Frank Street earlier this month.
"The Gold Coast Highway needs to be a four-lane road along its entire length and I'm pleased there was funding allocated to Frank Street in this week's State Budget," Mr Lawlor said.
"Peta-Kaye and I have been examining options for turning Frank Street into four lanes as part of the Joint Study Steering Group, so I'm pleased that money is on the table to address the state of this road."
Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft also welcomed the funding and said local motorists would be pleased to know this bottleneck was being addressed.
"This section of the Gold Coast is developing rapidly, with an increasing number of high-rise residential units," Ms Croft said.
Frank Street is the most direct and scenic route between Paradise Point/Runaway Bay/Biggera Waters and Southport so I'm pleased this funding will help deal with the increased traffic volumes."
It is part of the last remaining two-lane section on the Gold Coast Highway.
The $900,000 in 2004/05 will be followed by two lots of $7 million in 2005/06 and 2006/07.
Frank Street carries over 27,000 on an average day and this is expected to grow to 40,000 vehicles by 2021. Their have been 51 accidents, including one fatal accident, over the past five years.
Around $100,000 already has been spent to do concept planning for this project.
Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 12:00 AM
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