Commuter Alert: Significant Delays on Gold Coast Highway as Light Rail Testing and Pavement Works Intensify

Gold Coast Traffic and Commute Update: Wednesday, 1 April 2026

Commuters across the Gold Coast are advised to prepare for significant disruptions this morning, particularly along the coastal corridor and in the northern growth areas. While major upgrades on the M1 Pacific Motorway have eased some long-term bottlenecks, intensive construction and testing for the Light Rail Stage 3 and the Coomera Connector are creating new challenges for the Wednesday peak.

Major Arterial Disruptions: Gold Coast Highway

The Gold Coast Highway remains the primary area of concern for motorists traveling between Miami and Burleigh Heads. The following conditions are in place today:

• Lane Restrictions: The highway is reduced to a single lane in both directions between Dawn Parade and George Street East. This is to facilitate track slab installation and the final stringing of overhead wires.
• Speed Limits: A strictly enforced 40km/h work zone speed limit is active throughout the 6.7-kilometre construction corridor.
• Tram Testing: Motorists should keep a sharp lookout for the 'Safety Tram' (Sam the Tram), which is conducting Phase 2 testing and commissioning between Broadbeach South and Burleigh Heads. Do not stop on the tracks or perform illegal U-turns in these zones.
• Pavement Works: Final night resurfacing and line marking between West Burleigh Road and Fourth Avenue are wrapping up; however, expect some residual congestion during the early morning hours as crews demobilize.

Coomera Connector and Northern Roadworks

In the city’s north, work on Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector (the "Second M1") continues to impact local traffic patterns. Commuters heading toward Helensvale or Coomera should note:

• Bridge Closure: The bridge overpass at Ridgevale Drive remains fully closed as part of the 2026 bridge replacement program. Diversions are in place via the Smith Street Motorway.
• Smith Street Motorway: Higher-than-usual volumes are expected on the off-ramp toward Southport due to the Ridgevale closure. Permanent speed reductions remain in place near the construction interface.

Public Transport and Rail Network

While the Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines are currently running a normal Wednesday schedule, Translink has issued a major reminder for the upcoming Easter period. A significant 23-day track closure is scheduled to begin this Friday, 3 April. Commuters are urged to use today to plan their alternative routes, as buses will replace all trains between Varsity Lakes and Boggo Road for much of April to facilitate the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail upgrades.

Suburban and Hinterland Hotspots

Several localized road closures are also active today for the annual road rehabilitation program:

• Labrador: Turpin Road is closed between First Avenue and Fourth Avenue. Use Brisbane Road as a detour.
• Mudgeeraba: Berrigans Road remains closed between Gold Coast-Springbrook Road and Mark Way.
• Hinterland: Reconstruction works continue on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road between Neranwood and Pine Creek Road following recent landslips. Stop/slow traffic control is in effect.