John Muntz Causeway, Gold Coast

Restoration of a vital link over the Coomera River on the Gold Coast was a priority rebuild for the City of Gold Coast following ex-cyclone Debbie.

The John Muntz Causeway was severely damaged by floodwaters on 30 March 2017, closing Tamborine Oxenford Road, which connects the residential communities of Upper Coomera to the Pacific Motorway, and provides an alternative route for tourists visiting Tamborine Mountain.

According to RACQ estimates, the bridge was crossed by more than 15,000 motorists a day.

The original causeway was damaged in the South-East Queensland heavy rainfall and flooding event in January 2012 and a new bridge and causeway were constructed in 2014-15.

During the March 2017 flooding, the Coomera River reclaimed approximately 25 metres of river embankment, causing the collapse of western approaches to Tamborine Oxenford Road.

Reconstruction commenced on 18 April 2017 and works to the bridge approach and embankment were completed ahead of schedule.

The road reopened on 30 June 2017, with additional works completed in September 2018, at a total cost of $3.8 million.

Other major reconstruction projects completed in the aftermath of ex-cyclone Debbie included repair of 118 site works on Lamington National Park Road, 72 sites on the Gold-Coast Springbrook Road and 22 sites on the Beechmont Road, which required innovative solutions to transport mass loads due to steep climbs and tight bends.

These projects reconnected communities and restored safe and efficient travel routes for all motorists.