State Goverment puts $897 million towards $2B widening of the Gold Coast M1

THE DEAL is done — the Gold Coast stretch of the M1 will be widened to six lanes under a $2 billion roadworks package to be announced today.

FINALLY.

The State Government has agreed to a 50-50 funding split to fix the M1.

After years of Bulletin pressure, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will commit $897 million in next month’s State Budget for a major upgrade of the Pacific Motorway.

It will give relief to tens of thousands of motorists who have endured the great Australian crawl while federal and state politicians have argued over how our taxes should be used.

Underwood road overpass Traffic along the M1 motorway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Tuesday April 10, 2018. (AAP image, John Gass)

Nightmare delays caused by accidents and heavy traffic have turned the M1 into a car park, but the Palaszczuk Government’s decision to sign off on funding in the June 12 State Budget will be the spark to finally ease congestion.

The Premier told the Bulletin last night: “The Palaszczuk Government will invest $487.5 million, half of the total cost, between 2018 and 2022, ensuring work can start as soon as possible.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

“We know just how important these upgrades are to Queenslanders and we cannot wait any longer for this vital infrastructure work to begin.

“The M1 is the busiest road in our state. It takes hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders to work, to school, to our incredible beaches, shops and night-life every single day.”

The M1 breakthrough comes a month after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told the Bulletin he would commit $1 billion to the upgrade the motorway, if Premier 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.

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Traffic and parking problems on the Gold Coast today. Photo taken on the pedestrian overpass 300m south of Hope Island exit of M1 motorway. Photo by Richard Gosling

The Prime Minister’s pledge was matched soon after by Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

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 Road.

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

Work is underway to widen the M1 from four to six lanes between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes.

The new work is expected to start after that is completed in 2020.

Premier Palaszczuk said: “My Government has a proud record on the M1. We’ve already delivered the Exit 54 upgrade and heavy works are now underway at the Gateway Merge and Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes upgrades.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

“But we know we have to keep investing, to make sure that southeast Queensland

people can get home faster and spend more time doing the things they enjoy instead of

being stuck in traffic.”

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad this month described the Federal Government’s $1 billion M1 fix-it plan as a “joke and a hoax” because the funding would be delayed.

“The money that was promised for the M1 is a number of years out,” said Ms Trad after the Federal Budget.

“What it means is we cannot expect to see substantial funding for the M1 from the Turnbull Government for another four to five years.”

But Ms Trad last night told the Bulletin the State Government had acted to bring forward funding to make sure work could get under way sooner, not later.

“More than half of Queensland’s funding, almost $500 million, will be spent over the next four years. That means planning will be finished and work will be underway by 2020.

‘‘A rolling program of works will allow the M1 to be progressively upgraded to reduce journey times, improve reliability and deliver ongoing job security for people in the local construction industry.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Government was delivering the critical infrastructure for the Coast.

“We are finalising the planning to ensure the timely delivery of the next stages of the upgrade, between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill and between Varsity Lakes and Tugun.

“As part of the M1 Action Plan, the Queensland Government has also funded construction of the Exit 57 interchange upgrade at Oxenford, with works planned to start in 2019.

“Planning is also progressing for the upgrades to interchanges at Yatala North, Yatala South, Ormeau and Pimpama, as well as preserving the future Coomera Connector corridor for the rapidly growing northern Gold Coast area.”

Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon says Coast residents would benefit significantly from the ongoing upgrades to the M1.

‘‘Not only will these upgrades cut travel time and improve safety but they will create hundreds of jobs across the Coast for years to come,’’ Ms Scanlon said.

“I know that many people in my community are employed in the construction industry and by delivering these upgrades consecutively there will be significant new opportunities.”