Long-awaited Gold Coast light rail extension taking passengers from Sunday

The long-awaited Gold Coast light rail stage 3 will open to passengers on Sunday, the Queensland government has confirmed.The 6.7-kilometre stretch will connect Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads for the first time with eight new stops, including Mermaid Beach, Miami and Christine Avenue.Construction on the $1.55 billion project began in July 2022, a blowout from the $709 million it was initially slated to cost.Stage 3 forms part of a broader suite of plans by the state government to reduce congestion in the growing city and improve connectivity ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said permanent 50-cent fares will give locals access to an affordable public transport network."The extension will better connect communities, support local jobs and businesses and make it easier for people to move between popular destinations," he said.