Additional funding for congestion-busting M1 exit upgrades
20 November 2019
Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure
The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government has put commuter safety and reducing congestion at the forefront of its infrastructure agenda by announcing it will contribute an additional $46.3 million to upgrade the M1 Pacific Motorway at Exits 41 and 49.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government had committed $96.3 million to upgrade both exits under the $4 billion nationwide Urban Congestion Fund.
“Today’s announcement is another example of this Government working to bust congestion and deliver safer roads,” the Prime Minister said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Government is committed to bringing forward projects that will have a significant benefit to communities, especially those in regional areas.
“This critical infrastructure will provide job opportunities to local trades throughout construction and when complete will ensure people get to and from their destination sooner and safer,” Mr McCormack said.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the Government was tackling road network pinch points across South East Queensland and beyond under the Urban Congestion Fund.
“This is about busting congestion on key routes like the M1 Pacific Motorway here in Queensland, reducing the time people are spending stuck in traffic and improving road network reliability by addressing local bottlenecks,” Mr Tudge said.
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the additional funding would cut travel times and make access to and from the M1 safer and easier.
“The Exit 41 and Exit 49 projects will complement other investments along the M1 Pacific Motorway including the Pacific Motorway–Gateway Motorway Merge and between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill,” Mr Bailey said.
Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen said thanks to these critical upgrades, people in his electorate of Forde would spend less time in traffic and more time with their families.
“Exit 41 – Yatala South intersection and Exit 49 – Pimpama intersection often experience heavy commuter traffic, and by upgrading these exits we will bust congestion and keep Queenslanders moving,” Mr van Manen said.
Federal Member for Fadden Stuart Robert said the Australian Government was committed to ensuring the joint investment would deliver on the project’s key objectives.
“I am pleased to be able to move ahead on delivering these priority upgrades that are critical to the economic productivity of Queensland,” Mr Robert said.
The Pacific Motorway – Gateway Motorway Merge is under construction and expected to be completed in mid-2020. Construction of the Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill upgrade is expected to start in mid-2020.