Gold Coast M1 traffic: $50 million Pacific Motorway upgrade for Yatala and Pimpama

Two of the Gold Coast’s most notorious M1 exits will receive much needed upgrades as part of a $50 million pledge from Prime Minister Scott Morrison. But is it enough to fix the congestion problems?

TWO of the Pacific Motorway’s most notorious exits will receive much needed upgrades as part of a multimillion-dollar pledge from the Federal government.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a $50m funding injection for the Gold Coast stretch of the M1.

Mr Morrison made the announcement at Yatala near the Pacific Motorway this morning as part of a $130 million road upgrade package for southeast Queensland.

NORTHERN GOLD COAST DRIVERS CALL FOR M1 UPGRADE

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and LNP member for Forde Bert van Manen were in Yatala to announced a $50m funding injection for the Gold Coast stretch of the M1. Picture: Andrew Potts

COUNCIL REPORT REVEALS CAUSES OF M1 CONGESTION

The funds will be spent upgrading Exit 41 at Yatala and Exit 49 at Pimpama.

It is separate from the $1 billion M1 upgrade announced by then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull last year.

“This is another important local congestion busting series of projects,” Mr Morrison said.

“These do two things — they get people where they need to go quickly

and more safely.

Traffic at the Pimpama exit just off the M1. (AAP image, John Gass)

“Whether it is getting home to have dinner as a family, being home to help the kids with their homework or a traditional who is spending

time on the job where they can build as opposed to spending time in their Ute in the traffic.”

Also announced was $50 million for the Ipswich Motorway and $30 million for the Mt Lindsay Highway.

The M1 exits to be upgraded are in the marginal northern Gold Coast seat of Forde, held by the LNP’s Bert van Manen.

M1 PIMPAMA EXIT SAFETY UPGRADE DIVIDES RESIDENTS

Morning M1 traffic regularly backs up at the Exit 41 northbound off-ramp at Yatala.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN — JUST $1 FOR THE FIRST 28 DAYS

During the announcement, four supporters of Forde’s Labor candidate Des Hardman heckled the Prime Minister.

Also present for the announcement was Mr Van Manen, Assistant Treasurer and Fadden MP Stuart Robert, Cities Minister Alan Tudge, Senator Amanda Stoker and state MP Michael Crandon.

COOMERA RESIDENT TAKES OPPOSITION MINISTER FOR TRAFFIC JOY RIDE

Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to media following the announcement Picture: Andrew Potts