GoldLinQ

Background
Locale	Gold Coast, Australia
Transit type	Light rail
Number of lines	1
Number of stations	16
Chief executive	Phil Mumford
Headquarters	Southport
Operation
Operation will start	June 2014
Operator(s)	Keolis Downer Rail
Number of vehicles	14 Flexity 2 trams
Train length	43.5 m (143 ft)
Technical
System length	13 km (8.1 mi)
Average speed	23 km/h (14 mph)
Top speed	70 km/h (43 mph)
System map Gold Coast University Hospital Griffith University Smith Street Motorway Depot Queen Street Gold Coast Hospital Southport Southport South Broadwater Parklands Nerang River Main Beach Surfers Paradise North Cypress Avenue Cavill Avenue Surfers Paradise Northcliffe Florida Gardens Broadbeach North Broadbeach South

GoldLinQ is a light rail system being constructed on the Gold Coast, Australia. The first stage of the project is under construction between Griffith University and Broadbeach, with the first 16 station, 13 kilometre section scheduled to open in June 2014. Future plans for the project involve stretches to Helensvale, Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta. The system is being built by the GoldLinQ consortium under a Public Private Partnership with the Government of Queensland and the Gold Coast City Council.

History

Background

The Gold Coast is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia with annual growth of 2 - 3%.^[1] The project was first proposed in the Gold Coast City Council Transport Plan 1996 after some years of consideration and review. In 2002 the Queensland and Federal Governments each contributed $650,000 to fund the Gold Coast Light Rail Feasibility Study.^[2][3] In 2004 the draft summary report was released.^[4]

Political process

The proposed system will have significant impact on property both directly and indirectly in the corridor. In 2009 $16.5 million was spent on property resumptions. A total of $170 million has been allocated for all resumptions. The Queens Park Tennis Club and Southport Croquet Club will both be relocated.^[5]

In 2009 the Queensland Government committed $464 million to the Gold Coast Rapid Transit project, supplementing $365 million committed by the Australian Government and $120 million provided by Gold Coast City Council.^[6]

In June 2011 the GoldLinq consortium comprising Bombardier Transportation, Downer EDI, Keolis, McConnell Dowell and Plenary Group was awarded the contract to build the light and operate the Gold Coast light rail line for 18 years.^[7][8][9]

Construction

In August 2012 the cost of the 13 kilometre light rail was estimated at $1.6 billion.^[10]

Construction began on the Gold Coast University Hospital station shell in July 2010.^[11] In late 2010, early roadworks began in Broadbeach and Southport.^[12]

By November 2013 much of the work was complete with the southern section at Broadbeach being the only section of trackwork to be completed. Testing commenced on the northern section of the line in October 2013 with the line scheduled to open in June 2014.^[13][14]

Route

Stage 1 comprises a 13 kilometre light rail corridor that will link Griffith University with Broadbeach connecting the key activity centres of Southport and Surfers Paradise. It will primarily operate in a centre running configuration. The route has been criticised by the Southport Chamber of Commerce because it may negatively affect traders and customers in the central business district.^[6]

Plans

Other identified future stations are Helensvale railway station and Harbour Town. A connection at Helensvale is not expected to be needed until after 2016 at the earliest.^[15] Corridors heading south from Broadbeach to , Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta are also being looked at.

The original plans for expansion would see the line running for 55 kilometres between Helensvale and Coolangatta. This would be delivered in stages including a segment from Griffith University to Helensvale, a segment from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads, and a segment from Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta.^[16]

In late 2012, the Gold Coast City Council released a draft of their Transport Strategy 2031. The document outlined the original line would be extended west to Parkwood and south to the Gold Coast Airport. Additional branches would be added from Griffith University to Harbour Town, from Main Beach to The Spit, from Surfers Paradise to Bundall, and from Nobby Beach to Robina.^[17]

Operation

Services will be operated by KDR Gold Coast, a joint venture between Keolis and Downer Rail. The partners also own KDR Melbourne and have operated Yarra Trams in Melbourne since November 2009. The system will operate from 05:00 - 23:50 Monday to Thursday and 24 hours Friday and Saturday until 23:50 on Sunday with services every 7–8 minutes during peak times and every 30 minutes during off-peak times. The network will move up to 10,000 people an hour. Fares will be set by TransLink with all stations fitted with go card readers.^[18]

Rolling stock

Flexity 2 operating in Blackpool, England

The Gold Coast Rapid Transit fleet will consist of 14 Flexity 2 trams built by Bombardier Transportation in Bautzen, Germany.^[19] The trams will feature low floors and have dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and prams.^[20] They have a top speed of 70 km/h and room for 309 passengers with seating for 80.^[21] By November 2013 five had been delivered.^[22]

Infrastructure

The system uses tracks with 750 volt DC overhead catenary. The depot is located between Smith Street Motorway and Queen Street.

Stations

Queen Street under construction in July 2013

The network will have 16 stations.^[23]

References

External links

• Official website