Christmas has come early for Gold Coast hinterland residents, with a major road finally set to reopen following two years of drama.
The closed section of Gold Coast–Springbrook Road, between Neranwood Park and Pine Creek Road, will reopen to traffic on Thursday 21 December.
It comes after the road was shut off after sustaining significant damage by several natural disasters in 2022.
“Over the past 21 months, extensive stabilisation and repair works have occurred to reopen the 10-kilometre closed section of road,” Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said.
“This has included installing over 1,700 soil nails to stabilise slopes above and below the road.
“Reconstruction works have focused on 15 major landslip sites that required restoration, repairs and scaling to safely remove loose rocks and debris”.
The State Government says the reopening is months ahead of schedule and is a “great outcome for communities and business operators in the region ahead of Christmas”.
“This reconstruction project has made substantial progress to safely reopen road access to connect the community and to keep motorists moving through the Gold Coast hinterland,” Transport Minister Mark Bailey said.
“The early reopening will be welcome news for Springbrook locals, who have been travelling up to an additional 45 minutes via Pine Creek Rd in order to reach Mudgeeraba.
“I congratulate the crews for their excellent efforts to achieve this outcome before the holiday period”.
However, restoration works will continue on the reopened road next year, with stop/slow traffic conditions and sections with a reduced speed limit of 40km/h in place.
“While the road is opening, there will still be minor works in the area,” Minister Bailey said.
“So whether you’re travelling to the Gold Coast’s hinterland region to take in the sights or visit friends and family, I urge people to drive safely and to the local conditions over this holiday period”.
