State and council $2.5b plan ’too slow’ amid calls for review into transport department

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has demanded a review into the Qld transport department saying a $2.5 billion plan to upgrade the M1 over four years isn’t quick enough. Read what he had to say

A $2.5bn plan to upgrade the M1 over the next four years has been slammed for being “way too slow” to keep up with worsening Gold Coast congestion.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has called for a review into the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and demanded a construction brief of planned upgrades be made available to council.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has called for a review into the Department of Transport and Main Roads saying planned upgrades to the M1 were taking "way too long". Picture: Amaani Siddeek

“As I watch upgrades on the M, 1 the speed at which it’s done is way too slow,” Mr Tate said on Wednesday.

“Being a civil engineer myself, if this was in another country they would have it all done quickly, like in half the amount of time.

“I know the TMR have a new director general, I’d like to get a briefing from her. I’d like to know why it’s taking so long – is it the sandstone underneath? People want to know.”

It comes after an unprecedented move by city and state bureaucrats to rid red tape road blocks to make way for an additional M1 interchange, overpass and underpass crossings for local east-west movement, and to establish new local link roads to the M1.

Heavy long weekend traffic heading south on the M1 Pacific Motorway towards the Gold Coast from Brisbane. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Concerns have also been raised that forecast population growth in the Coomera area could add additional congestion stress.

Even with projects like the Coomera Connector, which will add additional 16 kilometres of new motorway between Coomera and Nerang as part of Stage 1 construction, Deputy Mayor Donna Gates suggested this week that “it might get worse before it gets better”.

Mr Tate added: “(Construction) should start earlier so that it’s finished well in advance of the 2032 Olympics.

“Matter of fact, South East Queenslanders want it finished as soon as possible. We want to start using it well ahead of the Olympics.”

EARLIER: Green light for $2.5 billion M1 congestion fix

The green light is being given to about $2.5 billion worth of transport upgrades around the M1 in the next four years because the Coomera Connector alone cannot fix congestion.

In an unprecedented move to rid red tape road blocks, City and state bureaucrats have agreed to work on a transport network development plan.

The key road infrastructure being fast forwarded include:

* An additional interchange on the M1 with a nominal location between Exits 49 and 54.

* Additional crossings of the M1 (overpass or underpass) for local east-west movements that do not have the M1 as a destination or origin.

* Establishment of new local link roads to provide alternative routes for motorists and
“traffic pressure relief valves” during peak times.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates, who has been pushing for the time frames to be reduced, said engineers would determine the best place for a new overpass.

“There could be a connection to Reserve Road or could be connection to the industrial estate at Kohl Street,” Cr Gates said.

Donna Gates — pushing for road upgrades near the M1. Photo by Richard Gosling.

An officer report said it was anticipated Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector would redirect some traffic demand away from the M1.

“Consequently, this will alleviate congestion on Coomera Link Road and Beattie Road by freeing up capacity at Exit 54,” the report said.

Transport and Main Roads had recently completed the business case for future stages of the Coomera Connector between Loganholme and Nerang covering 30kms, officers said.

The full Coomera Connector would add significant capacity to the northern Gold Coast road network but that was a long-term project, officers warned.

“However, considering the expected urban growth in the Coomera area, including the expansion of the Coomera Town Centre to the south and north, as well as the establishment of a large public hospital, there is a need for further development of the road network in the Coomera area,” officers said.

Artist's impression of the Coomera Connector interchange at Foxwell Road in Coomera.

Cr Gates admitted the first stage of the Coomera Connector was not an immediate silver bullet to solve the traffic congestion.

“The Coomera Connector in the initial stages – it’s a bit of a concern for me,” she said.

“Because until it can take the traffic further north from Foxwell Road, I have a fear it might get worse before it gets better. That’s what we are trying to prevent by bringing this traffic management plan forward.”

City Planning Chair Mark Hammel said it had taken too long for the highway interchange upgrades.

“But we are really glad to see Exit 41 now upgraded, and now Exit 49 in construction — it’s now on council to make sure we have the local upgrades done as quickly as possible so we have full benefit out that,” he said.

Cr Hammel said the entire Coomera Connector needed to be built for the north of the city to benefit from the second M1.

Cr Mark Hammel — the City needs the full Coomera Connector.

Officers confirmed the joint planning study to identify a road network master plan for the Coomera area and an implementation strategy would assess the merits of a new M1 interchange, M1 overpasses and new link roads to take pressure off the Exit 54 interchange.

“Since 2016, some 2600 new dwellings have been constructed in Coomera with the population of Pimpama increasing from 9000 to 25,000 residents,” the report said.

“This rapid growth has resulted in a significant increase in traffic demand on local roads travelling to and from the Pacific Motorway using interchanges at Exits 45 (Ormeau), 49 (Pimpama), 54 (Coomera) and 57 (Oxenford).

“During peak times, this is causing queues and delays for local motorists. With recent developments in Coomera, such as the Westfield Shopping Centre, Costco, Marine Precinct, TAFE College and several schools, traffic congestion is expanding into traditional non-peak times.”

Follow @PaulWestonGC 

 

Originally published as State and council $2.5b plan ’too slow’ amid calls for review into transport department