Both State and federal funds ready to be spent on $2B upgrade of Gold Coast’s M1

SICK of being stuck in traffic on the M1? Here’s when the $2b upgrade of the Pacific Motorway is likely to begin and what could fast-track the work.

EARLY works on the $2 billion upgrade of the M1 could begin sooner than expected, with both sides of politics saying their money is on the table and ready for use.

The Gold Coast Bulletin revealed on Saturday the State Government would commit $897 million in next month’s budget to widening the M1 from Daisy Hill to Eight Mile Plains in Brisbane and from Varsity Lakes to Tugun on the Gold Coast.

The money will be in next month’s state budget. (AAP image, John Gass)

While $1 billion had already been committed in the Federal budget this month, the upgrade from four to six lanes is not expected to begin until 2020 once work is completed on the widening of the Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes stretch of the motorway.

But the Bulletin can reveal the funds from both sides will be immediately available to be drawn down, setting the stage for early planning and design works to begin in the next 18 months.

Federal McPherson MP Karen Andrews said she hoped to see the work progress rapidly to allow the construction projects to flow seamlessly and finish by 2022.

“I encourage the State Government to move quickly and finish the scoping works and call for tenders, which will mean we can get it finished,” she said.

“The money can be drawn down as required and we should be in a position to move when needed.”

Scoping works for the upgrade are underway (AAP image, John Gass)

The first of the state’s funds will be in the June 12 budget, with the rest to be included across forward estimates.

It came a month after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told the Bulletin he would commit $1 billion to upgrading the motorway, if Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk agreed to match him dollar for dollar.

The State Government rejected the offer at the time, insisting the deal had to be an 80-20 funding split. The Prime Minister’s pledge was matched soon after by Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

The Federal Government put money in their budget earlier this month (AAP image, John Gass)

Mr Turnbull’s $2 billion proposal included:

● The M1 to be widened between Varsity Lakes and Tugun from four to six lanes, with a new off-ramp built in the northbound lanes to connect with Southport-Burleigh Rd.

● The motorway to be widened from six to eight lanes on the Brisbane stretch between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill.

These projects are expected to become part of a rolling program that will flow from the ongoing works into the next phase.

A business case study announced last month is being finalised and is due by the end of the year.

A business case is being developed. (AAP image, John Gass)

This study will determine the scope, design of the roadway and the final cost and timing of the works.

State Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said she wanted to see construction begun and finished as soon as possible.

“The Palaszczuk Government committed these funds to get the upgrade happening as soon as possible,” she said.

“We will not get in the way of the work starting sooner.”