Time to stop stalling on second M1

The state opposition has called for the government to get moving on plans for a second M1, after thousands of motorists were left stranded on the motorway for the second weekend in a row.

OPPOSITION Leader Deb Frecklington has renewed calls for a second M1, after the motorway was again cut this morning.

Motorists were left stranded at Helensvale on Saturday after a huge deluge of rain overnight led to flash flooding across the motorway.

All lanes of the road were closed in both direction from 6am until just before midday.

Slow moving traffic along the M1 near Oxenford on Gold Coast on Saturday following flash flooding. Picture: AAP Image/Regi Varghese

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Today’s traffic woes followed similar chaos last Saturday when the road was closed because of a fuel tanker rollover.

“Traffic on the M1 has been blocked for two weekends in a row,” Ms Frecklington said.

“We need an alternative route, that’s why the LNP has committed $550 million to start building the second M1 if we are elected in October.

“Labor has no plan to fix congestion and isn’t building the roads our growing state needs.”

But Acting Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Ryan said work on the second M1 was already underway between Nerang and Coomera, with consultation running and a business case soon to follow.

A petrol tanker rollover on the M1 at Helensvale caused traffic chaos on January 11. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Gosling

“We’re also building $2.3 billion in jointly-funded M1 upgrades, delivering more lanes for drivers,” he said.

“In contrast, the LNP have no credibility on the Second M1, blocking crucial planning.

“Drivers have been bitten by Dodgy Deb’s M1 Dealership before, when the LNP failed to spend a single new cent when they were in power, instead cutting Queensland’s roads budget by $600 million and sacking 14,000 workers.”