Research reveals the Pacific Motorway is at its worst on the drive home southbound

THE Pacific Motorway is a shocker for Gold Coast motorists at the best of times. But new traffic data have revealed the worst time of day to try and navigate the M1 and it’s not when you’d think.

THE Pacific Motorway is a shocker for Gold Coast motorists in the afternoon rather than the morning with the peak congestion between 4pm to 6pm, according to traffic research.

A report on “the problem” on the M1 for the Commonwealth Games in April next year reveals an important trend — the southbound trip coming home for workers is worse than heading north in the morning.

ROADS MINISTER REVEALS HOW TO AVOID GAMES M1 TRAFFIC

Afternoons are the worst time to drive on the M1 according to new traffic data Photo: David Clark

NEW REPORT FINDS GOLD COAST TRAFFIC WILL INCREASE

“All days (during the Games) have severe congestion in the evening peak — 4pm to 6pm,” the report said.

Details of an M1 management plan for the Commonwealth Games were released by the Main Roads Department on its Right To Information page today.

Traffic build-up around the Coomera exit on the M1. Pic Jono Searle.

GOLD COAST GAMES BOSS SAYS M1 TRAFFIC IS UNDER CONTROL

Both the Government and GOLDOC contend the plan was “old” — the brief had been prepared in November 2016 — but the 13-page document contains a valuable insight for motorists.

The findings back up anecdotal evidence that the northern Coast stretch is used by a massive workforce travelling to Brisbane.

Surveying of traffic users on the Coomera River Bridge shows:

* 38 per cent of trips are journey to work and work trips.

* only 18 per cent will be Games-related.

* only 15 per cent of traffic is going to and from coastal centres, the majority from the north.

* less than one per cent of motorists travel through the Gold Coast.

The worst period on the M1 is from 4pm-6pm Photo: David Clark

M1 MADNESS IS TRAGEDY IN THE MAKING

Given the added Games traffic, the worst section of highway for congestion will be Coomera to Nerang southbound where the report notes “volumes all-day close to or exceed capacity- very high crash risk”.

Stop-start traffic would occur for motorists approaching the on-ramps, the report said.

South of Mudgeeraba at Exit 85 where the highway is reduced from six lanes to four lanes will be a similar horror stretch.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is confident a traffic management plan for the Games will work. (AAP Image/Jono Searle).

TRUCKIES FURIOUS OVER M1 GAMES PLANS

Opposition Games spokesman John-Paul Langbroek told the Bulletin: “The report confirms that Labor has sat on its hands until the 11th hour when it comes to addressing long-standing transport issues on the M1.

“Labor’s Commonwealth Games Transport Plan is nothing but a band-aid solution.

“Lowering the speed on the M1 from 110km/h to 100 km/h and restricting trucks to the left hand lane isn’t going to minimise the number of crashes or bust congestion on the highway.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk regards the report as “old information” and indicated the government and GOLDOC had since moved forward on a transport plan.

“We’ve got a really comprehensive transport plan for the Commonwealth Games. I’m very confident with that plan,” she told the Bulletin.

GOLDOC chairman Peter Beattie said organisers had planned an M1 strategy which included a dramatic increase in the use of heavy rail linked with the new tram station at Helensvale.

Other measures include more police on the M1, reducing traffic speed and organising for tow trucks to be ready at strategic locations.