$2.5b M1 works revving up

Plan to add to Coomera Connector benefits

The green light is being given to about $2.5 billion worth of transport upgrades around the M1 in the next four years because the Coomera Connector alone cannot fix congestion.

In an unprecedented move to rid red-tape roadblocks, city and state bureaucrats have agreed to work on a transport network development plan.

The key road infrastructure being fast forwarded include:

■ An additional interchange on the M1 with a nominal location between Exits 49 and 54.

■ Additional crossings of the M1 (either overpass or underpass) for local east-west movements that do not have the M1 as a destination or origin.

■ Establishment of new local link roads to provide alternative routes for motorists and “traffic pressure relief valves” during peak times.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates, who has been pushing for the time frames to be reduced, said engineers would determine the best place for a new overpass.

“There could be a connection to Reserve Road or could be connection to the industrial estate at Kohl Street,” Cr Gates said.

An officer report said it was anticipated Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector would redirect some traffic demand away from the M1.

“Consequently, this will alleviate congestion on Coomera Link Road and Beattie Road by freeing up capacity at Exit 54,” the report said.

Transport and Main Roads had recently completed the business case for future stages of the Coomera Connector between Loganholme and Nerang covering 30kms, officers said.

The full Coomera Connector would add significant capacity to the northern Gold Coast road network but that was a long-term project, officers warned.

“However, considering the expected urban growth in the Coomera area, including the expansion of the Coomera Town Centre to the south and north, as well as the establishment of a large public hospital, there is a need for further development of the road network in the Coomera area,” officers said.

Cr Gates admitted the first stage of the Coomera Connector was not an immediate silver bullet to solve the traffic congestion. “The Coomera Connector in the initial stages – it’s a bit of a concern for me,” she said.

“Because until it can take the traffic further north from Foxwell Road, I have a fear it might get worse before it gets better. That’s what we are trying to prevent by bringing this traffic management plan forward.”

City planning chair Mark Hammel said it had taken too long for the highway interchange upgrades.

“But we are really glad to see Exit 41 now upgraded, and now

Exit 49 in construction – it’s now on council to make sure we have the local upgrades done as quickly as possible so we have full benefit out of that,” he said.

Cr Hammel said the entire Coomera Connector needed to be built for the north of the city to benefit from the second M1.

Officers confirmed the joint planning study would assess the merits of a new M1 interchange, M1 overpasses and new link roads to take pressure off the Exit 54 interchange.

“Since 2016, some 2600 new dwellings have been constructed in Coomera with the population of Pimpama increasing from 9000 to 25,000 residents,” the report said.