MP plea to fix M1 dramas
A GOLD Coast MP is demanding an urgent change be made to a nightmare M1 exit which is the scene of regular accidents and road rage incidents.
Coomera MP Michael Crandon has written to Department of Transport and Main Roads officials requesting a southbound on-ramp, off Yawalpah Rd, be built at Exit 49 in Pimpama.
Mr Crandon wants the ramp fast-tracked as an interim measure ahead of full construction of a $110m upgrade to the exit which is not expected to be completed until 2024 at the earliest.
“Illegal activities occur at the roundabout that cannot be successfully policed on an ongoing basis,” Mr Crandon said in a letter to Paul Noonan, TMR regional director for the south coast region.
“I’m told and have witnessed myself, people using the left lane to enter the roundabout from Yawalpah Rd – which is intended for the southbound traffic on to the M1 ramp only – then cut across traffic that is in the right lane, to travel over the overpass or onto Attenborough Rd.
“The reports I receive include incidents of road rage but, more importantly, these actions are a serious road safety issue.”
Mr Crandon’s appeal comes
after a Bulletin report highlighting problems at the intersection.
In shock video shared with this newspaper, a truck was last week seen cutting in front of a car from the left lane. The truck driver is then seen reversing towards the vehicle in an apparent act of road rage after the startled driver had beeped her horn.
Mr Crandon said building a new southbound ramp would help alleviate the pressure on traffic. “By fast-tracking the new southbound on-ramp onto the M1, it would significantly improve traffic flows at the roundabout,” he said.
Mr Crandon said upgrade work at other M1 exits had also been completed in two stages.
“Accordingly, I see this as a real option, that will reduce incidents as outlined above, as well as improve safety, improve network efficiency, improve traffic flow, reduce peak-hour congestion and reduce interchange queuing,” he wrote.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has yet to respond to his request.