Stunning prediction: Coomera Connector will not be silver bullet to fix traffic gridlock in the north
The Coomera Connector will be critical for easing traffic congestion but councillors and MPs now admit it’s not the silver bullet that will fix all problems on gridlocked roads in the north.
Gold Coast
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THE Coomera Connector will be critical for easing traffic congestion but councillors and MPs now admit it’s not the silver bullet that will fix all problems on gridlocked roads in the north.
They are seeking a commitment from the State Government for complete full upgrades of Exit 38 at Yatala and Exit 45 at Ormeau on the Pacific Motorway and to back council’s $11 million public transport uplift with more bus services in the north.
The Bulletin this month outlined how the first stage of the Coomera Connector between Nerang and Coomera would not be six lanes sparking the Opposition to accuse the Government of a “four lane fraud”.
Area councillor Mark Hammel told the Bulletin: “I fully support the second M1 to relieve pressure and reliance on the Pacific Highway between Nerang and Loganholme. Particularly when there is an accident that causes significant delays, the Coomera Connector should provide a viable bypass while also taking pressure off our local roads.
“But for residents in my area, I don’t see how it is going to make any real difference to the amount of time they are stuck in traffic.
“For residents of Pimpama, Ormeau and Yatala, the main issue is they are currently waiting in traffic jams every day for up to 40 minutes to cross the M1 only a few hundred metres from east to west.”
“The only way to seriously improve traffic congestion on and near the M1 in Pimpama, Ormeau and Yatala is by upgrading all the highway interchanges.
“It is great to see work has started on Exit 41 at Yatala, and there has been a commitment to start upgrading Exit 45 at Pimpama mid-year, which is excellent because it is currently one of the most dangerous interchanges on the Gold Coast.
“Unfortunately, there is only a band aid fix proposed soon at Exit 45 in Ormeau, which will see this safety upgrade not fit for purpose from day one. “
Cr Hammell said the current safety improvements would just shift the queuing on the M1 to a new off ramp and traffic lights.
“The frustrating and dangerous congestion will remain until the entire interchange is upgraded,” he said.
Council last year had voted unanimously in favour of funding an $11 million public transport uplift for 700 more bus services every week in areas like Pimpama, Ormeau and Jacobs Well.
“We are still waiting on the State Government to match our funding with an additional $11 million to get this plan off the ground, take cars off our roads and provide a genuine public transport alternative in Division 1,” Cr Hammel said.
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor said motorists travelling from Carrara to Coomera or from Helensvale to Pimpama on the M1 were facing “even triple the amount of time they should”.
“The second M1, or Coomera Connector, is a basic bare minimum infrastructure requirement for our growing Gold Coast, but what progress has been made in the seven years since Labor was elected,” Mr O’Connor told Parliament.
“The business case has not been released. The public environment report will not even be released until mid-2022,” he said.
Transport Minister Bailey said the motorway would not be happening unless Labor secured the corridor via gazettal in its first two terms and obtained nearly $2 billion to build the single biggest road project in the state.
The government remains fully committed to starting major construction on the Coomera Connector this year, he added.
EARLIER:
The Coomera Connector will be four lanes and not the six lanes originally intended for the second M1, according to planning documents.
An Infrastructure Australia assessment of the new highway to be built between Nerang and Coomera also shows a blowout in costs.
The state Opposition is accusing the government of a “four lane fraud” saying Transport Minister Mark Bailey misinformed motorists about the project.
Opposition transport spokesperson Steve Minnikin told the Bulletin: “Infrastructure Australia has confirmed the Coomera-Connector will only be four lanes. Mark Bailey promised six.
“Infrastructure Australia has also confirmed the major cost blow of the project. This is an extraordinary failure by Mark Bailey and the state government and it’s going to cost
Queenslanders big time.
“Let me make this very clear, this $600m blow out is thanks to the state government’s
dodgy Best Practice Principles policy.”
Mr Bailey in a response said the corridor would be built wide enough for an ultimate six-lane motorway.
“However, based on transport demand modelling and available construction funding, fewer lanes may be built in some sections to meet medium-term needs,” he said.
Mr Bailey said the motorway would not be happening unless Labor secured the corridor via gazettal in its first two terms and obtained nearly $2bn to build the single biggest road project in the state.
“The LNP blocked the second M1 when Mr Minnikin and (the Opposition leader) Mr Crisafulli were senior members of the Newman Government,” he said.
“The puny LNP 6km long second M1 plan they tried to sell at the last election would have funnelled 60,000 cars straight onto the Gold Coast Hwy and caused traffic chaos.
“Despite the red-hot construction market, the Palaszczuk Labor government remains fully committed to starting major construction on the Coomera Connector this year.”
Infrastructure Australia said the 16.35km north-south motorway would include:
* A new four lane two-way road with a design speed of 110kph and a posted speed limit of 100kph from Shipper Drive in Coomera to Nerang–Broadbeach Rd in Nerang.
* Grade separated interchanges at Helensvale Rd, Gold Coast Highway (Brisbane Rd), Smith Street Motorway and Southport Nerang Rd (north facing only).
* Major waterway and wetland bridge structures over Coomera River overflow, Coomera River/Hope Island Rd/Saltwater Creek, Coombabah Creek, Coombabah Lakes wetland and Nerang River.
* Overpass structures for local roads at the crossings with Ridgevale Drive, Town Centre Drive and Sage St.
* Realignment of Shipper Drive and upgrade to four lanes.
* Property adjustments and property access refinements as required.
* Reconfiguration of access and parking at Helensvale and Parkwood station Park ’n’ Rides.
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor has located advertising which confirms the government only this week advertised for engineering and design consultant teams for stage one of the motorway. All offers are to be provided by April 5. He has raised environmental concerns.
“Over seven years into the planning of the second M1 and Mark Bailey has only just called for a tender to design it,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Taking this long to not even finish the planning for a project like this is next level incompetence.”
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