What will happen next with the M2 now the funding is sorted on the main highway

THE second Pacific Motorway is poised to become the next political fight for funding. Who is offering what?

THE second Pacific Motorway is poised to become the next political fight for priority funding.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in an exclusive report in Saturday’s Bulletin announced the State Labor Government would fast track cash for the M1.

Leader of the LNP State Opposition, Deb Frecklington, at Southport — she made a funding announcement today.

After years of Bulletin pressure, Labor agreed to a 50-50 funding split for a $2 billion upgrade of the Pacific Motorway, committing $897 million in next month’s State Budget.

Opposition leader Deb Frecklington today confirmed the M1 would be overhauled

if the LNP was elected in 2020.

But her promise on infrastructure spending goes a step further than Labor’s.

“I’m pledging a $1 billion contribution to upgrade the M1 and $250 million to start work on a

second M1,” she said.

“My plan is above and beyond what the Labor Government has proposed and will deliver

infrastructure the Gold Coast needs both now and in the future.

“A four lane arterial road would act as an alternative to the existing Pacific Motorway and is

crucial for the Gold Coast’s future.

“Upgrades address current issues, but a good government doesn’t just keep playing catch-up.

“My plan would fix the existing road and build a second M1 to get Gold Coast residents home safer and sooner.”

The 36.5km corridor for a second M1 stretches from Stapylton-Jacobs Well Rd at Staplyton to

Nerang-Broadbeach Rd in Nerang and would also require $250 million in federal funding.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey also talk about funding for the M1. Pic Adam Head

Ms Frecklington said she would match the Federal Government’s funding commitment to bust

congestion on the M1 between Varsity Lakes and Tugun, and the Eight Miles Plains to Daisy

Hill stretch.

Before last year’s State election the LNP after the Bulletin’s Going for Gold campaign backed funding for the M2.

But Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, at the time, branded the M2 proposal a flop, maintaining it had a $2.1 billion costings hole.

He said the LNP announcement was a desperate last ditch move after six years of LNP inaction on the M1 by nervous LNP Gold Coast MPs who were worried it would cost them their seats.

Coomera MP Michael Crandon has highlighted the problems with M1 exits.

The Government was focused on investing two jointly funded major M1 upgrades, with early works underway between Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes and at the Gateway Merge and construction completed the Exit 54 upgrade.

Labor’s other focus was on planning for the long-term upgrades of various interchanges on the M1 including Exit 38 (Yatala North), Exit 41 (Yatala South), Exit 45 (Ormeau) and Exit 49 (Pimpama).