Pacific Motorway: Work on notorious M1 exit at Yatala to start in the New Year
It’s been revealed when work will start on a notorious M1 exit after funding for key projects along the highway was brought forward.
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WORK will start in the New Year on fixing the notorious Pacific Motorway exit at Yatala after the Federal Government brought forward funding for key M1 projects.
Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said the Palaszczuk Government’s fight for a fair share of Canberra’s infrastructure funding will mean new cash for major construction on the Gold Coast end of the motorway.
The Morrison Government’s commitment would match the State’s $96.3 million for M1 exits 49 and the shovel ready 41, she said. The Federal Government had originally pledged $50 million to help upgrade both exits.
“Canberra has given us what we’ve asked for. They are matching us for our own investment,” Ms Scanlon said.
“We already have close to $100 million ready to go to upgrade exits 41 and 49 on the Gold Coast. Canberra’s additional $46.3 million funding means the Palaszczuk Government can get moving on the upgrades of the two exits and secure construction jobs for the Gold Coast.”
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The Federal Government’s funding for many Queensland projects had been “put on the backburner for up to five years”, but one of the most significant areas to benefit from bringing forward capital works would be the fast-growing north of the city.
“Exit 41 is ready to go and now that the Feds have found their missing share of funding, tenders can go out before Christmas with actual work to start as soon as possible in 2020,” Ms Scanlon said.
“Our demands for a fair share of the nation’s infrastructure funding will also see $45 million brought forward by Canberra for the M1 upgrade from Varsity Lakes to Tugun, $41 million brought forward for the second merge project and $8 million brought forward for Daisy Hill to Logan to match our planning money.”
Exit 41 is renowned as an accident hot spot with tradies lined up with utes in the northbound lane trying to access the industrial estate at the morning peak hour.
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Ms Scanlon said the “Federal Government’s belated interest in Queensland infrastructure and jobs is good news for the Gold Coast, including local businesses who rely on tourism and transport”.
The Palaszczuk Government’s $23 billion roads and transport budget over four years is expected to support 21,500 Queensland jobs.