A critical 3.5km section of the M1 upgrade to five lanes – northbound between Sports Drive and the Gateway Motorway – is finished and open.
The section is part of a broader 8km facelift from Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill.
The M1 is being upgraded from Eight Mile Plains to Tugun, which will include a version of the Coomera Connector.
“Through this program, the … government is delivering additional lanes on the M1, improved service roads, interchange upgrades and the Coomera Connector – dubbed the second M1,” transport minister Mark Bailey said.
“The South East is predicted to be one of the highest growing regions in the state, so projects like these not only help get people home sooner, but also keep traffic flowing well into the future.”
Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said more than $3.4 billion worth of major upgrades are being delivered on the M1, jointly funded by the state and federal governments.
“This massive investment includes these upgrades between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill, as well as from Daisy Hill to Logan Motorway and Varsity Lakes to Tugun further south,” Mr Vasta said.
“The Morrison Government is proud to be providing $510 million towards the M1 Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill upgrade, busting congestion and supporting 721 jobs over the project’s life to boost our economic recovery.”
State Member for Springwood Mick De Brenni said the M1 upgrade was also progressing well on other sections, with two new bridges taking shape over Springwood Road and piling for the Veloway bridge over Lexington Road completed on the Watland Street to Sports Drive upgrade.
“The whole of South-East Queensland will be reaping the benefits of this generational investment for years to come, meaning it will drive our economic recovery and strength for years,” Mr de Brenni said.
“Hundreds of thousands of motorists drive up this strip each day and so with the Veloway extension now open, we’re also encouraging some of them to use active transport instead, meaning even less congestion.”
Mr Bailey said the project had achieved another ‘Leading’ design rating from the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC).
“To achieve the highest possible rating for infrastructure projects again is an amazing achievement for the team,” he said.
Member for Toohey Peter Russo said bike riders would also benefit from the Sports Drive to Gateway Motorway upgrade with the first part of the extended Veloway 1 now open.
“Investment in South East Queensland’s bike paths is a game changer for active commuters,” Mr Russo said.
“This is the first section of the V1 Veloway missing link completed and means riders can travel further south than ever before with local access connections at Logan Road, Underwood Road and Camelot Park.
“The aim is for the V1 to go all the way down to Paradise Road by 2025.”
