PRELIMINARY works to upgrade the M1 and M3, between Eight Mile Plains and Rochedale South, started last week, after the state government gave construction giant Lendlease Engineering the contract.
The deal followed a 2016 federal election commitment to improve safety and ease congestion on the Pacific Motorway, which handles up to 148,000 vehicles.
The upgrade will include a four-lane bridge over the Pacific Motorway on a realigned Underwood Rd, providing improved east-west connectivity. It will also mean a drop in the speed limit in that area and likely delays and snarls.
Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen (LNP) with federal minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said the Gateway merge was at capacity.
“The additional southbound lanes on the Pacific Motorway and the reconfiguration of the bus entry from Eight Mile Plains will help with current congestion, particularly during peak periods,” he said.
Springwood MP Mick de Brenni (state, ALP) said the it would cut travel times for Springwood families.
“The end result will also connect dedicated bus lanes from Eight Mile Plains in Rochedale to Springwood and the bus interchange and park n ride, leading to quicker, easier commutes.”
The works are expected to cost between $170 million and $196 million and will be funded by federal and state governments. The federal government has committed up to $115 million and the state will pay the rest.
Rankin MP Jim Chalmers congratulated the premier for being willing to reach a funding agreement so the upgrades could go ahead.
“Construction could have already started on this vital piece of road infrastructure had the Turnbull Government not ignored the needs of our local community for so long,” he said.
“It’s only through a sustained campaign by Federal Labor, Logan City Council, local businesses and the broader community that the Liberals finally succumbed to community pressure and were forced into action.”
This will really benefit new land purchase and sales for the postcode 4109 – in Loganlea and Meadowbrook.
Source: Judith Kerr, Quest Newspapers