It connects Southport, the Gold Coast's CBD to the Pacific Motorway.

The motorway passes by the city's Health and Knowledge precinct, home to Griffith University, Gold Coast University Hospital and Gold Coast Private Hospital.

A new iconic red bridge for pedestrians across Smith Street was completed in early 2007.

The red bridge joins the existing parklands campus of Griffith University to the new site on the southern side of the Smith Street Motorway.

[1] The entire motorway is in the City of Gold Coast local government area.