a connection with the Gold Coast railway line that connects the city with Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland. Financial commitment from the state and federal governments needed to progress with the extension was finalised in late 2016. The new extension includes tracks and 3 new light rail stations, with Helensvale being the new northern terminus for the line. Construction commenced in 2016 with plans to be completed in time for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April 2018. Construction finished early, ahead of schedule with passenger services commencing in December 2017. Stage 3 extension The Queensland Government, in conjunction with the Gold Coast City Council and the Federal Government, announced the plan to extend the light rail line south, from the existing Broadbeach South station to Burleigh Heads back in 2018 with the original completion date to be in 2024. Due to funding disputes among the three levels of government funding this project as well as COVID-19 pandemic along with rising construction costs in recent years the project kept getting delayed and pushed back. In February 2020, three parties were short-listed to build the extension: a CPB Contractors / Seymour Whyte joint venture a Fulton Hogan / UGL Rail joint venture John Holland It was announced in October 2020 that John Holland had won the contract, with the state government releasing a statement in 2021 saying that the agreement will see the construction consortium undertake detailed construction planning and to start establishing a site presence along the corridor. In July 2022 construction formally started with water, sewerage and gas infrastructure upgrades and relocation on the Gold Coast Highway between Broadbeach and Nobby Beach. Major construction including earth works and construction of the tracks will commence from 2023 with the project expected to be operational by 2025. Planned stations Eight new light rail stations will be constructed with the original cost estimate of the project at $670 million, which has now blown out to $1.2 billion due largely to rising inflation post pandemic. Route The new extension will begin from the current southern terminus, Broadbeach South travelling on the median strip of the Gold Coast Highway for the whole way south to Burleigh Heads. The extension will pass through the Mermaid Beach, Nobby's Beach, Miami and Burleigh Heads with the hopes of creating better connectivity, reduce congestion and improve travel times. Stage 4 extension The Gold Coast City Transport