Major Local Closures and School Run Traffic: Gold Coast Commute Update for Friday, Jan 30

Key Road Closures and Traffic Alerts

Gold Coast commuters are advised to prepare for several significant road closures affecting local travel today, Friday, 30 January 2026. The most notable disruption is in Helensvale, where Buckler Drive remains closed to all traffic between Cyan Street and the Town Centre Drive roundabout. This closure is due to ongoing works on the Town Centre Drive bridge and is expected to cause delays for those navigating the Helensvale precinct.

In Arundel, the eastbound access ramp to Smith Street from the Smith Street Motorway is also closed for scheduled roadworks. Motorists who typically use this ramp to access Smith Street should allow for extra travel time and follow the posted detours. These works are part of the ongoing infrastructure maintenance across the northern Gold Coast corridor.

Major Arteries: M1 and Gold Coast Highway

Traffic on the M1 Pacific Motorway is expected to be heavy during the morning and afternoon peaks, particularly between Varsity Lakes and Tugun, as the final phases of the widening project continue to integrate with daily traffic flow. While major widening works have largely reached operational status, localized speed restrictions may still be in place for finishing works.

On the Gold Coast Highway, commuters should expect continued activity between Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads as the Light Rail Stage 3 construction enters its 2026 delivery phase. While two lanes of traffic are maintained in both directions, the presence of construction barriers and shifting lane alignments may cause minor bottlenecks, especially near the newly developed station sites at Miami and Mermaid Beach.

Public Transport and School Commute

With the new school year now in full swing, Translink services are operating on regular school term timetables. Parents and students are reminded to check their bus and train schedules as increased patronage typically leads to longer boarding times during the morning rush. In Main Beach, commuters should note that the temporary stop closure on Main Beach Parade is scheduled to conclude today; however, services may still experience slight delays as the area returns to normal operations.

Regional and Park Alerts

For those planning to travel toward the hinterland, Tamborine National Park is experiencing intermittent walking track closures, specifically affecting the Lower Joalah Circuit through today, 30 January. While this does not impact major road thoroughfares, increased visitor traffic in the area may lead to limited parking near the park entrances. Drivers are urged to remain patient and avoid parking illegally on roadside verges.