M1 go-slow ‘will boost traffic flow’
SLASHED speed limits on the M1 will allow more vehicles to use the under-pressure motorway during the Commonwealth Games as one of the key planks of the event’s transport plan.
Speeds will be cut by 10km/h from Eight Mile Plains in Brisbane to Gaven and temporary ‘ramp metering’ will be put into place at two major M1 offramps to keep traffic moving and avoid gridlock.
According to Games maps, the worst time to travel on the M1 will be from 3-7pm during peak hour.
But the state’s peak transport body says motorists should “avoid the M1 at all costs” during the Games.
“Obviously rush hour on the M1 right now is difficult but at all costs, avoid the M1 during the Games and rule it out if you travel both in the morning at afternoon,” RACQ chief communications officer Paul Turner said. “The key during the Games is to reduce or eliminate as much as possible the number of crashes on the M1.
“Crashes are extremely disruptive and can cause massive congestion so the more we can do as motorists to either avoid the M1 during that time the better.”
The State Government yesterday unveiled its transport plan for the Games, with much of its focusing on how to keep the M1 clear. Strategies in place include: • Speed limits being cut from 110km/h to 100km/h between the Logan Motorway and Gaven while speeds will drop from 100km/h to 90km/h from Eight Mile Plains to Logan. Both come into effect on March 1.
• Ramp metering on the southbound Exit 62 (Helensvale) and Exit 66 (Smith St) beginning in mid-March.
• Extra traffic response units and towing vehicles will be deployed on the M1 gradually from March 31, with all units in operation by April and running until April 15 after the Closing Ueremony.
• Vehicles carrying athletes, officials and some political leaders will be allowed to travel along the hard shoulder of the M1 under police escort where safe and at low speed if there is congestion preventing them from arriving at their events.
• Police will roll out extra speed cameras and units during the Games to crack down on speeding.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said reducing the speed limit on the M1 would reduce overall congestion.
“It massively reduces the risk of crashes when people are going at that speed and that is what we want to see during the Games,” he said
“Generally (at) lower speeds ... it can actually carry more volume.
“Depending on speeds, when people make different choices about how much buffer they need in front or behind the car so if you are at a slower speed, people will bunch up more.
“It is not a massive difference but it does help.”
Mr Bailey said the rapid response and tow truck numbers would reduce the chance of the entire motorway grinding to a halt.
“Much more than usual, they will be on to any incident very quickly and clear the roads,” he said. “The best way to avoid traffic on the M1 is to take public transport.”