RACQ: Second M1 and Varsity Lakes to Tugun widening both needed to help stop the congestion

BOTH the ALP and the LNP are fighting about which M1 upgrade suggestion will fix the congestion problems. But a motoring group has warned we need them both for one simple reason.

M1 congestion is so bad the LNP’s second M1 and Labor’s Varsity Lakes to Tugun widening are both needed to stop snarls, RACQ urges.

LNP has pledged a $500 million second M1 on the gazetted intra regional transport corridor between Nerang-Broadbeach Road and Stapylton-Jacobs Wells Road.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk committed Labor to $206 million in funding to add lanes to the M1 between Varsity Lake and Tugun — provided the Federal Government grants the remaining 80 per cent of the funding.

Congestion on an M1 entrance. Picture Darren England.

As debate rages about the merits of each, RACQ spokesman Paul Turner said both are needed: “We hope they both happen. We would be lobbying for whoever wins not to let the other project slide”.

Mr Turner said it did not matter which one started first.

DEAL REACHED ON M1 UPGRADE

The cost of LNP’s $500m road has come under fire and Mr Turner said it did seem “light”.

“We do not know whether it’s too low,” he said.

RACQ spokesman Paul Turner.

The second M1 would stretch for about 36km and include three bridges.

The $500m costing comes from the South East Queensland Council of Mayor’s 2015 election advocacy document.

HOW TWO YEAR M1 UPGRADE WAR WAS WON

Mr Turner said it was cheaper to build a new road than upgrade existing highway as it was not necessary to close lanes plus work hours could be longer.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said he preferred the LNP’s second M1.

“If you fix the southern (end), how do you get to Brisbane? We want to connect the Gold Coast to Brisbane.

Traffic congestion on the M1 at Helensvale from the Department of Transport and Main Roads traffic cam. Photo: TMR

“We want to really have a full solution for a second M1 and that means a parallel one.”

Griffith University urban planning expert Tony Matthews said in the long run $500m on a road would not be economical to solve congestion.

“We have seen previously that reproducing a road does not lead to reductions in congestion times,” he said, adding that additional roads usually led to more cars on the road.

But he was unable to accurately determine how much a second M1 would cost because there were too many variables.

Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Department of Transport and Main Roads had costed LNP’s M2 at $2.4 billion.

Queensland Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply, Mark Bailey (left) and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announce their plans for an M1 upgrade on Sunday. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

On the Gold Coast, Gaven candidate Meaghan Scanlon, Currumbin candidate Georgi Leader and Bonney candidate Rowan Hozlberger were sent out to defend the Labor plan.

LNP Main Roads spokesman Andrew Powell said the LNP already had “productive discussions” with the Federal Government about a 50:50 funding split for the new road.

“By contrast Annastacia Palaszczuk, true to her do-nothing style, hasn’t bothered to contact Federal Government, who’re expected to fund 80 per cent of her project.”

“Under Labor, motorists on the Gold Coast will be stuck in traffic as Annastacia Palaszczuk picks another political fight with the Commonwealth Government.”