RD sign northbound on Gold Coast Highway at the junction with Pacific Highway, Tweed Heads West. Photo taken December 2009.

Length: 1km (in NSW)

Northern Terminus: QLD/NSW Border, Bilinga

Southern Terminus: Pacific Highway & Gold Coast Highway, Tweed Heads West

Route taken: Gold Coast Highway

Interstate Continuation: Extends northwards via Tugun and Burleigh Heads to Broadbeach, thence from Southport via Labrador to Helensvale.

Roads Act 1993 classification: State Highway No. 31

Proclaimed a State Highway: 1 May 2009

Notable Events:

3 June 2008 - Tugun Bypass opened to traffic.1 State Route 2 commissioned.
1 May 2009 - Reclassification of State Highway No. 10 via Tugun Bypass. Proclamation of State Highway No. 31.

Description:

Gold Coast Highway is New South Wales's newest Highway, proclaimed in May 2009 to replace the relocated Pacific Highway. It runs for only 1km within NSW, from the junction with Pacific Highway to the QLD Border at Bilinga. Within Queensland, the Gold Coast Highway continues through Tugun and Burleigh Heads to Broadbeach, recommencing at North Street, Southport, and extending to Helensvale.

The section of Gold Coast Highway within NSW was originally constructed in 1985 as part of Stage 1 of the Tweed Heads Bypass project. It became part of Pacific Highway in 1992 upon completion of Stage 2. Construction of the Tugun Bypass project, from Kennedy Drive to Stewarts Road, Currumbin, relocated the Pacific Highway and the former alignment was reproclaimed as Gold Coast Highway.

It is presently a four lane, dual carriageway road without direct property access. Prior to construction of the Tugun Bypass, it formed part of a 100km/h, grade-separated route. Upon completion of the Tugun Bypass, it was downgraded to an 80km/h urban arterial road environment.

Further reading:

Pacific Highway - former alignments at Tweed Heads

References:

1. Queensland Department of Transport & Main Roads, Tugun Bypass Project, Accessed: 30 January 2011

Photos of Gold Coast Highway (NSW section)
	AD sign northbound on Pacific Highway, approaching the Kennedy Drive and Gold Coast Highway junctions at Tweed Heads West. Photo taken: December 2009.
	AD sign northbound on Pacific Highway, approaching the Kennedy Drive and Gold Coast Highway junctions at Tweed Heads West. Photo taken: July 2008.
	AD sign northbound on Pacific Highway as you pass over Kennedy Drive, approaching the Gold Coast Highway junction at Tweed Heads West. Photo taken: July 2008.
	AD sign southbound on Pacific Highway, approaching the Gold Coast Highway junction at Tweed Heads West. Photo taken: December 2009.
	AD sign southbound on Pacific Highway, approaching the Gold Coast Highway junction at Tweed Heads West. Photo taken: December 2009.
	ID sign southbound on Pacific Highway at the junction with Gold Coast Highway, Tweed Heads West . Photo taken: July 2008.
	Gold Coast Highway looking south to the junction with Pacific Highway at Tweed Heads West. The central two lanes allow traffic to proceed directly onto the highway southbound, whilst the left lane accesses Kennedy Drive. Photo taken: December 2009.
	RD sign northbound on Gold Coast Highway as you leave the Pacific Highway junction. Note the transition from the new asphalt pavement onto the old concrete pavement which was constructed as part of the original Tweed Heads bypass in 1986. Photo taken: December 2009.
	Gold Coast Highway southbound approaching the junction with Pacific Highway at Tweed Heads West. Note the use of 'M1' and 'Pacific Motorway' - this was done to ensure cross-border consistency. Photo taken: December 2009.
	Gold Coast Highway southbound between Pacific Highway and Coolangatta. The service sign was installed following the recent upgrade work on the Pacific Highway in NSW which meant many fuel stops are now bypassed. Photo taken: December 2009.
	Gold Coast Highway looking south at the QLD/NSW border at Bilinga, just south of the Coolangatta Road overpass. This is the northern terminus of State Route 2 in NSW. Photo taken: December 2009.
	Gold Coast Highway looking north at the QLD/NSW border, showing 'Welcome to Queensland' signage on the Coolangatta Road overpass, Bilinga. Photo taken: December 2009.
For photos of Gold Coast Highway in Queensland, click HERE. (coming soon)