Gold Coast light rail construction will shut down in parts of Southport and Surfers Paradise for the Christmas holiday trading season.

Chairman John Witheriff said the construction shut-down was implemented in response to community requests and would come into effect this week.

“In areas where major construction will not occur for Christmas, kerb to kerb construction will be complete with no heavy machinery work on roads or footpaths, as agreed between GoldLinQ, representative business groups and other stakeholders,” Mr Witheriff said.

“During this time construction fencing will be removed except around station areas and all heavy machinery will be out of those areas.

“Some construction activities will continue within station and track areas including overhead wire and pole installation and station fit outs. Tram and electrical equipment testing will also continue.”

Mr Witheriff said to accommodate the shutdown, footpath and landscaping works would continue following the Christmas shutdown in early-2014.

“Works will also occur outside of these areas throughout December and January to keep the Gold Coast light rail project on track for passenger services mid next year,” he said.

“To allow this shutdown, we have had to reset all construction dates and a new schedule is in place to finish works by the contract date of June 2014.

“GoldLinQ will not compromise on its stringent safety testing program so trams will continue to test throughout the Christmas period.”

Christmas major construction shut-down details

• Southport: Nerang Street and Scarborough Street between Davenport Street and Lawson Street from 23 November to 14 January 2014.
• Southport: Scarborough Street between Lawson Street and Queen Street from 30 November to 14 January 2014.
• Surfers Paradise Boulevard: between Elkhorn Avenue to Hamilton Avenue from 30 November to 1 February 2014.