M1 Upgrade Update- Federation Chamber

FEDERATION CHAMBER – 3 MINUTE SPEECH

M1 UPGRADE (GATEWAY MERGE AT EIGHT MILE PLAINS)

29 MAY 2017

 

Today I have some very good news for commuters in my electorate. I’ve recently received updates from the Minister for Urban Infrastructure and from the Department of Transport and Main Roads regarding the Gateway Motorway merge upgrade at Eight Mile Plains.

This is one of many vital upgrades to the M1 taking place under the Queensland Roads Package deal reached by the Australian Government earlier this year. The M1 is of course notorious for its peak hour traffic. The southbound lanes of the M1 between Eight Mile Plains and Rochedale, in particular, are plagued by congestion during afternoon peak hours.

I and State Member for Mansfield, Ian Walker, have regularly heard from constituents about how traffic in these lanes now starts to back up as early as 2pm, and doesn’t ease until as late as 6pm. We’ve been pushing for an upgrade on their behalf. So we’re thrilled that work to widen the M1 at the Gateway Motorway merge past the Rochedale Road off-ramp will begin later this year.

More specifically, the upgrade will include:

·            Up to five southbound lanes on the M1 between Eight Mile Plains and Rochedale;

·            The relocation of the existing bus entry from the Eight Mile Plains Bus Station onto the M1;

·            A replacement four-lane overpass on a realigned Underwood Road;

·            Managed motorway technologies from Klumpp Road to Rochedale Road.

This upgrade is a major win for commuters who use this part of the M1 on a daily basis. They will enjoy improved traffic flow, reduced travel times, as well as improved safety.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is currently finalising the design for the upgrade. It has also contacted land owners impacted by the upgrade and will deal with them directly on a case-to-case basis. Early works on the project are expected to commence later this year, with major construction to begin following the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

I can’t wait to see this much-needed project completed. I encourage residents and motorists with more questions about the upgrade to contact my office for further information or visit the Department of Transport and Main Roads website.