Published Wednesday, 02 October, 2019 at 12:00 PM

Minister for Transport and Main Roads

The Honourable Mark Bailey

M1 motorists have been given a sneak peek at the $749 million M1 upgrade from Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill.

Ahead of community consultation next week, new concept footage has been unveiled for the jointly-funded eight kilometre project which will feature more lanes on the M1, a new busway to Springwood and bikeway to Paradise Road.

Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the footage would allow motorists to experience the state-of-the-art upgrade before it happens.

“Construction will begin next year and will eventually mean this section of the M1 will be widened from six to eight lanes,” Mr Tudge said.

“That means quicker travel times for motorists, and most importantly it will get everyone home sooner and safer.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said with locals already starting to reap the benefits of a $195 million upgrade of the M1/Gateway merge, the Queensland Government would put its foot on the pedal with a 721 job project to tackle congestion in the growing Logan area.

“The Queensland Government is building a bigger and better M1, with $2.3 billion locked in to get people home sooner,” Mr Bailey said.

“This upgrade will take local traffic off the motorway, get more people on buses and bikes, and cut congestion with more lanes through the busy Springwood section.”

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said over the coming weeks, around 110,000 residents will receive information in their letterboxes with the most up-to-date information on Stage 2 of the M1 upgrade from Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill.

''The four-page newsletter explains the project and what they can expect. It will show the exciting plans for the new park 'n' ride and bus station at Rochedale, connecting the busway through to Springwood,” Mr Vasta said.

“The design is now at a point where we can provide an early update for the public to see what this new upgrade may look like, and what it will mean for the entire community.”

Member for Springwood Mick de Brenni said a key feature of the multi-million dollar upgrade would be the 6.6km extension of the south east busway to Springwood and a brand new bus interchange as Rochedale.

“Locals are always telling me they want better public transport in their area and to major hubs in Brisbane and Logan – and we’re delivering,” Mr de Brenni said.

“The dedicated busway to Springwood means quicker travel times, less competition with buses and cars on local streets, and room for an additional 1.7 million passengers.”

Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman said Logan residents would soon receive details of the upgrade in their letterboxes, and could find out more about the project at upcoming community information sessions.

“This is fantastic news for the community, with every bus taking 40 cars off the road, it’ll have benefits for both locals taking public transport and motorists travelling on the M1,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Residents will also find out more information on plans to combine the two M1 on-ramps at Paradise and Loganlea roads, which will mean freer flowing traffic on the M1, as well as a new on-ramp at Lexington Road.”

Public Information Display Sessions – October 8 to 19:

Underwood Marketplace Shopping Centre, cnr Beenleigh & Logan Roads, Underwood: Tuesday 8 October: 10am – 1pm, Thursday 10 October: 3pm – 6pm, Saturday 12th October: 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Logan North Library, cnr Sports Drive & Springwood Road, Underwood: Wednesday 9 October: 10am – 1pm, Friday 10 October: 10am – 1pm, Monday 14 October: 10am – 1pm

Springwood Shopping Mall, cnr Rochedale Road & Fitzgerald Avenue, Springwood: Tuesday 15 October: 10am – 1pm, Thursday 17 October: 3pm – 6pm, Saturday 19 October: 1pm – 4pm

Alternatively, you can drop in at one of the following locations where large-scale maps with key features of the project will be on display:

Underwood Scout Group Camelot Park, Camelot Street, Underwood: Tuesday 8 October to Wednesday 16 October

Transport and Main Roads Customer Service Centre, Kessels Court, 567 Kessels Road, Macgregor: Tuesday 8 October to Friday 18 October, check TMR's Customer Service Centre website for opening hours.

Member for Macalister Melissa McMahon said construction would commence next year, linking in with the M1/M3 merge upgrade at Rochedale and marking the third of four-fully funded M1 upgrades under the current Queensland Government.

“Motorists are seeing a lot of changes on the M1, with the $195 million merge upgrade on-track for completion next year, upgrades well underway on the Gold Coast and progress on this vital $749 million upgrade through Logan,” Ms McMahon said.

“It means not only are we cutting the amount of time people and businesses spend on the M1, but we’re also creating thousands of jobs in construction for locals.”

The $749 million upgrade is jointly funded by the Commonwelath and State Governments.

To find out more visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects

Project info:

Eight kilometre upgrade between the Gateway Motorway at Eight Mile Plains and Loganlea Road at Daisy Hill

Extension of busway to Springwood with new bus interchange and park ‘n’ ride facility at Rochedale

Complete the missing V1 cycleway link on the western side of the M1 from the Gateway Motorway to Paradise Road

Business case approved in 2018, design underway and construction to begin in 2020

Will include a new M1 on-ramp at Lexington Road and combined on-ramp to ease congestion at Loganlea and Paradise roads

Smart motorways technology including variable speed signs as well as a fish passage at Bulimba Creek to be included

ENDS

Link to download footage: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1bzptg4pma4bkj0/AADt2-RAmR-4Y9TIlYtCbxX5a?dl=0

Media contact: Francis Dela Cruz - 0420 592 078