Opposition questions Labor on M1 gridlock

THE State Government is being asked to reveal when the Pacific Motorway will reach its use-by date and become so congested that it reaches permanent gridlock.

Albert MP Mark Boothman asked State Parliament yesterday for the latest vehicle use on the M1 and its off ramps.

The LNP MP said he saw four days of gridlock on northern sections of the highway due to minor accidents.

The Bulletin understands the Transport Department regards 170,000 vehicles daily as the tipping point where the highway no longer has stable flow. Figures last released more than a year ago, show 144,437 cars were using certain sections of the M1 every day.

“If you have an accident on the motorway, the whole thing stops,” Mr Boothman said. “You can’t get out of Upper Coomera.”

Planning studies were under way for the short and long-term upgrades of various interchanges, including Exit 38 at Yatala North, Exit 41 at Yatala South, Exit 45 at Ormeau and Exit 49 at Pimpama, to increase safety and efficiency.

The investigations would enable the Government to make priority decisions on funding but it needed help from the Federal Government.

An agreement reached by both governments in March would see early works start in November on the M1 Gateway merge project where it joins with southbound lanes at Eight Mile Plains so major construction could begin following the Commonwealth Games.