City wants Crisafulli Government to commit to plans to end M1 congestion

Overpass bridges above the Pacific Motorway and four-lane connector roads are needed to fix traffic gridlock in one of the Gold Coast’s most congested regions, a new report reveals. SEE WHAT’S PLANNED

Overpass bridges above the Pacific Motorway and four-lane connector roads are needed to fix traffic gridlock in the fast growing northern Gold Coast, a new council study reveals.

The City has allocated $11 million to support the upgrade of George Alexander Drive west of the new Coomera Hospital. But it is seeking a commitment from the Crisafulli government that it will deliver a new M1 overpass before it proceeds.

At a transport committee meeting last Friday councillors voted to strengthen a recommendation pushing for the State to commit to a “Road B” to the hospital.

Transport committee chair Darren Taylor said all councillors would vote on the recommendation at a full council meeting on Tuesday.

“We need the commitment for the State road (an M1 overpass) so the road we are building is a network road – not just a driveway to the hospital,” Mr Taylor said.

“What we are saying is, we are happy to proceed with this, but as long as they’ve committed to a formal agreement for the other end (west of the hospital).

“It’s to help ease the gridlock coming onto our network. But what we also don’t want is a road just going to a hospital.

“It’s a State asset, and we’re building a driveway (to it) – we are happy to build that with a commitment it (the upgrade) continues right through to the M1.”

A new Gold Coast City Council report reveals overpasses planned for the Pacific Motorway. Transport committee chair Darren Taylor is working with the State Government to fund the projects.

The council study found congestion in the area had ballooned following the construction of the Westfield Shopping Centre, Costco, Marine Precinct, TAFE and schools.

It found the Coomera Connector alone could not solve the gridlock.

Plans to solve the traffic nightmare outlined in the Coomera Road Network study include:

* A Beattie Road overpass.

Linking Beattie Road and Reserve Road, it would provide a new east-west connection.

The Beattie Road Overpass linking southern Coomera and Upper Coomera between Beattie Road and Reserve Road as part of Pacific Motorway upgrade plans.

* A Southern M1 interchange.

A progression of the Beattie Road overpass, it would include a southbound on-ramp and northbound off-ramp from the M1.

This is a concept plan for the Southern Interchange which will be part of the Beattie Road overpass including a southbound on-ramp and northbound off-ramp, featured in Pacific Motorway upgrade plans.

* A ‘Road G’ central overpass crossing linking the Coomera Town Centre and the Upper Coomera retail centre.

The road would see Pimpama linked to Cunningham Drive through a bridge across the railway line.

The Road G Central Overpass linking the Coomera Town Centre and Upper Coomera retail centre as part of Pacific Motorway upgrade plans.

* A ‘Road B’ from the Old Pacific Highway to Rifle Range Road.

This is a new interchange linking the northern parts of Coomera and Upper Coomera. It could exclude ramps to be a stand-alone overpass across the M1.

This is a concept plan for a Northern Interchange "Road B" which would see a new M1 interchange at Coomera, seeing north facing ramps and overpass linking Creek Street and Rifle Range Road, all part of Pacific Motorway upgrade plans.

The access arrangements for the hospital, being built now and due to open in late 2027, have yet to be finalised.

The Government has allocated funds to advance planning which considers Road G and Road B, however that could take four years. A four-lane road in front of the hospital will cost $80 million.

A parliamentary petition launched late last month called for an extension of the northern finishing point of the Coomera Connector to avoid worsening traffic chaos.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates is the lead petitioner and supported by Coomera LNP MP Michael Crandon in gathering community support for the second M1 going further north.

The northern tip of the Coomera Connector’s first stage is Shipper Drive which feeds into Foxwell Road, where the Gold Coast is undergoing its biggest infrastructure boom.

Latest council traffic counts shows Foxwell Road is used by 50,000 vehicles each day. This compares to 42,000 just two years ago.

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Originally published as City wants Crisafulli Government to commit to plans to end M1 congestion