M1 gridlock traps visitors
NEW LNP leader Deb Frecklington has renewed calls for the Labor government to build a duplicate motorway on the Gold Coast after another day of frustration on the M1.
Cars took almost an hour to travel the 18.3km from Worongary to Palm Beach yesterday, while traffic also crawled southbound from Beenleigh to Helensvale.
Ms Frecklington said she feared the Gold Coast would be “embarrassed on the world stage” if similar gridlock occurs during the Commonwealth Games in April.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s New Year resolution to Gold Coast residents should be a firm commitment to get on with the job of building the second M1,” Ms Frecklington said.
“I sincerely hope Queensland isn’t embarrassed on the world stage during the Commonwealth Games with athletes and spectators missing their events because the M1 is a carpark.”
Among the holiday-makers caught in yesterday’s gridlock was the Anderson family, who made the trek from Toowoomba to catch up with friends at Main Beach.
The family of five set out on their journey at 8.30am but didn’t make it to Main Beach until 11.30.
“We were all very relieved when we made it and saw the water,” Mr Anderson said.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said Labor was acting to preserve the land needed for a duplicate M1, and criticised the LNP’s record in government
“When the LNP were in power, they didn’t spend one cent upgrading the M1,” he said.
“Worse than that, the Newman government cut the IntraRegional Transport Corridor (IRTC) from the SEQ Regional Plan in 2014.
“We’re taking action to formally protect the corridor.”
A spokesman for Ms Palaszczuk said the Government would be delivering on its election commitment to upgrade the M1.
“Our M1 Action plan is sequenced to begin after the Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes project is finished,” he said.