M1 exits at Yatala South and Pimpama to get major upgrades

Some of the most congested parts of the M1 are set for major upgrades, with tens of millions to be pledged by the state government in its budget today.

SOME of the worst congested exits on the Pacific Motorway in the Gold Coast’s fast growing north today, in the State Budget today, will get much needed funding upgrades.

The Bulletin can reveal $96 million will be provided to upgrade Exit 41 at Yatala South and Exit 49 at Pimpama.

Labor is promising to provide almost 50 per cent of the funding for each exit and calling on the Federal Government to meet the rest.

The Budget is also expected to provide funding for the planning of the so-called M2, the Coomera Connector from Nerang to Stapleton which will provide relief for the gridlocked M1.

But given the State Government’s commitment to fund Cross River Rail, which has failed to gain support from the Commonwealth, it is unlikely money will be available for the next stage of light rail from Broadbeach to Burleigh.

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Government sources suggest Labor is unlikely to put a figure on its funding for light rail stage 3a given the Commonwealth continues to offer a much lower amount than for stages one and two.

Gaven Labor MP Meaghan Scanlon told the Bulletin: “I made a commitment to Gold Coasters that we would build a better M1. This year’s budget delivers on that promise.

“We’ve already secured $2.3 billion for the M1 upgrades, so this year’s budget has shifted its focus to fixing busy M1 exits. We’ve upgraded Exit 54 and now we’re investing to upgrade Exit 41, 49 and 57.

“There is $96 million in this budget to fund Exit 41 at Yatala South and Exit 49 at Pimpama. At the rate the North Gold Coast is growing, we can’t afford to lose momentum on these upgrades.”

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Member for Gaven, Meaghan Scanlon. Picture: Jerad Williams.

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Ms Scanlon said the government had completed some early planning which confirmed each exit would cost about $100 million to upgrade.

“With the funding in our budget this year, we can make sure these projects don’t stall.I would like to see the Morrison Government match our commitment to get the job done,” she said.

“At the moment, they’ve only put $50 million up, which is only about 25% of what these upgrades will cost. We’ll keep negotiations underway on that front, but this budget provides Gold Coasters with some certainty for those key exit upgrades.”

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Lines of traffic travelling south on the M1 near Exit 49. Picture: Tim Marsden.

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Ms Scanlon said the planning on Exit 57 at Oxenford was “tracking well” with consultation still underway on the designs to fix some of the queuing issues.

“Planning will also continue for an alternative road next to the M1. I’ve been working really hard to secure a $10 million commitment to do an options analysis and business case for the Coomera Connector so we can get Gold Coasters out of traffic and home sooner,” she said.