Deal reached to upgrade M1

UPDATE: One of Queensland’s worst daily traffic jams will finally be fixed after the State and Federal governments finally struck a funding agreement for the M1 motorway. Find out where

The M1 will be upgraded. Photo: David Clark

ONE of Queensland’s worst daily traffic jams will finally be fixed after the State and Federal governments finally struck a funding agreement for the M1 motorway.

The deal to upgrade the state’s busiest road between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes to six lanes along with a massive upgrade to the M1 and Gateway motorway merge will be unveiled tomorrow.

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Despite dominating the RACQ’s report on the slowest motorway sections in the state, the M1 has been trapped in a political standoff with Federal Government wanting a 50/50 funding split while State demanded 80/20 deal.

It is understood the Turnbull Government has stuck with its original offer to stump up 50 per cent, or $215 million, towards the cost of the projects.

The deal indicates the State may have “rescoped” the projects to curb costs and increase its $86 million commitment in an effort to end the standoff.

The deal also includes funding for the Walkerston bypass near Mackay, widening the Mt Lindesay Highway between Browns Plains and Beaudesert and planning for the next M1 upgrade between Varsity Lakes to Tugun.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the final funding carve up was not yet known but the deal was a boon for motorists.

“Although final project costs for the M1 will not be known until the end of April, we have reached an agreement that the Australian Government will keep our money on the table with the State picking up the balance,” Mr Chester said.

“The tender processes are expected to bring the cost down, so the final splits will not be known until then.

“The important thing is we have broken the impasse and will work together to deliver these important projects.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the funding would mean a half a billion dollar investment in infrastructure and jobs.

“We have reached an agreement and can now get on with the job of upgrading the M1.”

Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said early works on the M1 Gateway merge project were expected to start in November, with major construction to begin following the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said today’s announcement was a significant result for motorists in southeast Queensland.

“Queenslanders want to see the roads they need get built as quickly as possible and are not interested in arcane disagreements between state and federal governments,” Mr Fletcher said.

“I am pleased that our two governments have been able to work constructively to agree our respective funding commitments — so we can get on with delivering these vitally needed upgrades.”