2018 Commonwealth Games Transport plan: M1 speed limit dropped, public transport increased

SPEED limits on the M1 will be dropped during the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The State Government has this morning revealed its extensive transport plan in an attempt to ease road gridlock. It also flagged big changes to our public transport system.

TRAINS, trams and buses will run 24 hours a day with frequency drastically increased in peak periods during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games but speed limits on the M1 will be reduced.

The State Government this morning unveiled the long-awaited Games transport plan, which reveals how locals and visitors will get around during the event.

More than six million extra trips will be made on public transport on the Gold Coast during the 12 days of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

THE M1 GRIDLOCK HOTSPOTS TO AVOID DURING GAMES

Trains, trams and buses will run 24 hours a day to cope with the extra 600,000 visitors to the city.

Speed limits on the M1 will be reduced during the Commonwealth Games. Picture: John Gass

Trains will run every 10 minutes in both directions with frequency increased for events which are more popular and require higher demand.

On the roads, changes to the M1 will come into effect on March 1 as speeds are reduced from 110 to 100km/h between Logan and Gaven.

Speeds will also drop from 100km/h to 90km/h between the Gateway merge at Eight Mile Plains in Brisbane to Logan.

GAMES WILL BRING ‘TRAFFIC-GHEDDON’

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said reducing the speed limit on the M1 would reduce overall congestion.

“It massively reduces the risk of crashes when people are going at that speed and that is what we want to see during the Games,” he said

“Generally the lower speeds mean it can actually carry more volumes. Depending on speeds, people make different choices about how much buffer they need in front or behind cars so if you are at a slower speed, people will bunch up more.

“It is not a massive difference but it does help.”

The Department of Transport is confident its transport plan will ease gridlock during the Games. Picture: Richard Gosling

Mr Bailey said a fleet of rapid response and towing vehicles would be out in force on the M1 to clear crashes rapidly and reduce the chance of the entire motorway grinding to a halt.

“Much more than usual, they will be onto any incident very quickly and clear the roads quickly,” he said.

“The best way to avoid traffic on the M1 is to take public transport.”

Department of Transport and Main Roads deputy director general Matthew Longland said planning for the Games transport network had been several years in the making.

“There will be unprecedented demand over a condensed period of time but we are ready and up for the challenges,” he said.

“We all understand the inevitable challenges the M1 will face during the Games.

“We are ready and up for the challenges and the data for our model has come from ticket sales, commuter levels, spectator surveys and event schedules.

“We have worked hard to get the most out of all modes of transport and we believe we have developed a truly integrated transport network.”

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Trams will run 24 hours a day. Picture: Jerad Williams

Traffic Management will come into effect on March 20 around the Commonwealth Games village with further restrictions coming into place on March 25.

During the Games, there will be 13 temporary park and ride car parks, eight transport hubs, 300km of designated road and traffic management areas, 20 dedicated bus routes and 27km of temporary Games lanes which will be open for athletes, officials, the Royal Family and a select few politicians, including premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Games Minister Kate Jones and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Department of Transport and Main Roads deputy director general Matthew Longland. reveals the Games transport plan. Photo: Andrew Potts

There will be 475 buses operated by 665 drivers with frequency to increase to every 15 minutes or better.