RACQ’s Paul Turner reveals the fixes the M1 needs to solve ongoing congestion on the Gold Coast

REGARDLESS of how much we spend on the M1 it cannot solve all the issues on its own and we need to look at new road alternatives that provide a relief valve, writes RACQ’s Paul Turner.

ONE of the issues we face with the M1 is that it serves two functions. It’s a National Highway with huge freight demand linking the third and sixth largest cities in the country, while also being a tourist and urban commuter route which people use daily to get to and from work.

THE M1 IS SO BAD I WANT TO LEAVE THE COAST

M1 traffic conditions on the Gold Coast can be challenging at the best of times: David Clark

The Federal Government funds 80-20 for national highways but only 50-50 for urban motorways, so we end up with a constant fight between the State and Federal Governments over the M1’s definition.

The RACQ’s view is clear — the M1 is the busiest road in Queensland, it’s a strategic freight corridor, and it should be funded 80-20 by the Federal Government, similar to major highways like the Pacific in New South Wales and Hume in Victoria.

LABOR TO FAST-TRACK M1 UPGRADE

Paul Turner. Pic Annette Dew

Some clear improvements need to occur for upgrading the M1 to eight lanes in the northern section and six lanes in the southern. Three main sections we’ve identified — the Gateway merge, Logan to the Gold Coast and surrounding Tugun — have received funding, which is good news and will help keep the traffic moving.

HOW WE’LL FIX THE COAST’S M1 GRIDLOCK

Regardless of how much we spend on the M1 though, it cannot solve all the issues on its own. We need to look at new road alternatives that provide a relief valve if the M1 is blocked by a crash, while also providing alternatives to the M1 for local commuter traffic. On top of this we need to develop public transport options, particularly light and heavy rail, that people will genuinely choose instead of driving.

The M1 on the southern Gold Coast Photo David Clark

Not all answers are in infrastructure, however, some of the answers are in how we manage our lives.

We need to involve planning and look at how we work in the future so that planned new communities include jobs and therefore cut down on the number of people needing to commute to the city for work. We also need to consider how people can adopt different ways of working, for example flexible start and finish times, so they are not forced into cars during peak times.

Addressing M1 woes is not just an issue of logistics or road funding or infrastructure — it’s about lifestyle. The standard of living we expect in south east Queensland is under threat because of hours spent in congestion on major roads like the M1. Two hours in a car is two hours not at home, with family, at work or out with friends. We need to demand that adequate expenditure and planning is put into major roads, like the M1, so we continue to enjoy the lifestyle we have become used to here in Queensland.