ONE YEAR TO TOTAL GRIDLOCK
M1 will grind to halt ‘as soon as next year’
THE M1 could reach vehicle capacity on some sections in the fast growing northern Gold Coast as early as next year, according to new research.
The Bulletin can reveal details of the initial design capacity for the M1 when it was built more than 20 years ago, which explains why sections at growth hotspots such as Coomera are closing in fast on gridlock.
For the eight lanes between Yatala and Oxenford, the Ausroads approved Highway Capacity Manual calculated a maximum hourly capacity of 2300 vehicles at peak flow which converts to 162,000 vehicles per day.
The latest Main Roads data, from 2016, recorded 152,177 vehicles per day for the M1 north of the Coomera interchange at Exit 54. Figures from 2015 show some sections were recording 144,437 cars per day, suggesting an increase in traffic of up to 10,000 cars a year by 2018.
Albert MP Mark Boothman, who requested the data in State Parliament, predicts northern sections of the M1 will grind to a halt within “the next 12 months to 24 months”.
“My fear is with all the off ramps, while the cars are queuing, it will reach capacity,” he said.
The State Government is tackling M1 congestion at the Gateway merge at Eight Mile Plains by upgrading southbound lanes after the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said planning had also begun for the Intra-Regional Transport Corridor which the previous LNP Government forced Gold Coast City Council to take off the City Plan.
“They took the view that there was no interest in the corridor. This was an unprecedented step that shows just how little Mr Boothman cares about future planning for the Gold Coast,” Mr Bailey said.
“While construction of the IRTC is not needed for several years, we’re doing the planning now to make sure it is protected from development.”
A Bulletin campaign in March led to the state and federal governments announcing a $500 million package to end congestion at the M1 section known as the “Robina carpark”.
But Mr Boothman believes the focus must now turn to the city’s north and Australia’s fastest growing stretch from Coomera to Pimpama.
“My fear with the Games is if we have an accident, how are we going to get the officials, athletes and spectators to and from venues?” he said.