M1 upgrade in the fast lane

EARLY works on the $2 billion upgrade of the M1 could begin sooner than expected, with both sides of politics saying their money is on the table and ready for use.

The Bulletin revealed on Saturday the State Government would commit $897 million in next month’s budget to widen the M1 from Daisy Hill to Eight Mile Plains in Brisbane and from Varsity Lakes to Tugun on the Gold Coast.

The upgrade from four to six lanes is not expected to begin until 2020 once work is completed on the widening of the Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes stretch of the motorway.

But the Bulletin can reveal the funds from both sides will be immediately available to be drawn down, setting the stage for early planning and design works to begin.

Federal McPherson MP Karen Andrews said she hoped to see work progress rapidly to allow the construction projects to flow seamlessly and finish by 2022. “I encourage the State Government to move quickly and finish the scoping works and call for tenders, which will mean we can get it finished,” she said.

The first of the state’s funds will be in the June 12 budget, with the rest to be included across forward estimates.

It came a month after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told the Bulletin he would commit $1 billion to upgrading the motorway, if Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk agreed to match him dollar for dollar.

The State Government rejected the offer at the time, insisting the deal had to be an 80-20 funding split. The Prime Minister’s pledge was matched soon after by Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

State Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said she wanted to see construction begun and finished as soon as possible.

“The Palaszczuk Government committed these funds to get the upgrade happening as soon as possible,” she said.

“We will not get in the way of the work starting sooner.”