Re: Gold coast rail extension?

[L & D <daisyw@ozemail.com.au>]

Matthew Nolan wrote:

> > AFAIA the Gold Coast City Council has dropped all plans to build a monorail
> > and has been looking at light rail for the past year or more. Three private
> > companies have submitted expressions of interest for the design, constuction
> > and operation of a 30km light rail system. Inter-running with the heavy rail
> > system along portions of the Gold Coast railway is also under serious
> > consideration.
> >
> > Rob
> >
> > Sydney (Australia)
> >
> This would be the best option. It would allow for relatively cheap
> infrastructure to be built, unlike heavy rail. Also, more stops would be
> permissible and they could link up with the Gold Coast Railway. The Gold
> Coast railway is not really suited for local commuter traffic

This could easily change with a little thought around the Southport area, Smith
street provides a perfect right of way there is enough room for the motorway and a
railway and it would have a bonus that it could run along the boundary of the
Griffith University. providing a station there would benefit and solve some of the
problem students face with parking and if the line ever gets to the southern Gold
Coast the trip could take about 15 to 20 mins instead of around driving 40 to 60
mins and bus up to an hour and a half also in the area of Griffith University are
the Parklands Show ground and Trotting track and a large industrial area is not to
far a way

> , being a
> feeder between the Gold Coast and Brisabne. However, a well serviced
> light rail system would allow for easy public transport right into the
> heart of Surfers/Southport

At the end of the Southport heavy rail you could easily have conections  to a
light rail system

> etc, without having to pay HUGE amounts for
> land resumption. Any heavy rail system being built right into Surfers
> would be impossible, both logistically

Logistically no economically yes

> and ecomonically. A light rail
> system would be more advantageous as not only is cheaper, it would allow
> more stops. This would be great for tourists, who could get on a tram
> right outside their apartment block and travel to such places as Cavill
> Mall, Pacific Fair, the Casino and the heavy rail system.

Davo