The first stage has carried more than 6 million passengers between Southport and Broadbeach. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate and Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad take a ride on light rail. Credit:Tony Moore At the Gold Coast University Hospital at Southport on Tuesday deputy premier Jackie Trad and Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate released details of the cheaper, shorter alternative plan and called for tenders for the stage two work. Their submissions will outline a final price to go into the funding submission to Mr Abbott. Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate made his view clear by asking Prime Minister Tony Abbott to look favourably on the new funding submission.

"Tony, don't be a missing link," Cr Tate told reporters. Helensvale Station. The new stage two light rail route: is only 7.3 km long;

requires only eight property resumptions; two full resumptions, six partial resumptions;

previous plan involved 70 resumptions;

from Gold Coast University Hospital down northside of Smith Street Motorway

The new route is seven minutes faster than the previous route which

ran down Olsen Avenue. and then turning north to Helensvale train station:

The Gold Coast light rail project is to be built in time for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. 11-minute trip from Helensvale station;

two park-and-rides with 1400 car spaces;

includes three mini-stations along the Helensvale to university link;

connects with the existing stage one at Gold Coast University;

similar look to stage one tram system;

construction time is around 108 weeks. Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said business had three weeks to lodge expressions of interest to complete stage two of Gold Coast's light rail. "What it will mean is that there will be a seamless transition from Brisbane particularly to the Commonwealth Games through heavy rail and light rail," Ms Trad said. "Which is a fantastic thing for the Commonwealth Games." Ms Trad made it clear that Tuesday's announcement was "another step along the way."

"What we are doing is seeking a final price for the design and construction of stage two so that we can finalise our submission to the Commonwealth Government in order to secure Commonwealth Government

funding." Ms Trad said the Queensland Government would contribute funds and Gold Coast City Council has already promised funds to the project. "I need to make clear that we really do need Commonwealth funding in order that stage two proceeds," she said. Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate said he believed the second stage of the project should be funded in the same way as the successful stage one. Commonwealth, state and council all contributed to stage one.

"So my appeal to Tony Abbott is please come through and join us," he said. Ms Trad dismissed comments on ABC Radio by Gold Coast MP Steve Ciobo on Thursday that there would be no Commonwealth Government money to the project. "Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has spoken personally with Tony Abbott about this at the last COAG meeting," Ms Trad said. "We know that Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he would consider a submission that came from the Queensland Government. "So if you are asking me to choose between Annastacia Palaszczuk's word or Stephen Ciobo's word, I will pick Annastacia's side of the argument any stage of the week."

Mr Trad said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had explained to her the terms in which Mr Abbott would consider putting forward money. "My understanding - as the Premier personally conveyed to me - was that the Prime Minister would consider funding for stage two if it was part of an enhancement submission for the Commonwealth Games." Expressions of interest open on Monday, August 10 and close Friday, August 28. Stay informed. Like the Brisbane Times Facebook page.