Good news for users of the M1 in Queensland between the Gold Coast and Brisbane with the official opening of the Coomera Connector Stage 1 North today.
Designed to deliver a safer and faster journey between Coomera and Helensvale the four-lane, four-kilometre section of road is to be known as the M9 and will provide an alternative route to the M1 for local commuters between Shipper Drive in Coomera and Helensvale Road in Helensvale.
It is expected the change will reduce local traffic on this part of the M1, bringing a win for locals, freight operators and travellers alike.
The Coomera Connector Stage 1 North project included:
- Building interchanges at Shipper Dr and Helensvale Rd and 4kms of shared paths
- Constructing an almost 1km bridge over the Coomera River and Saltwater Creek
- 65,000 tonnes of asphalt laid on the main section of road and local roads.
- Over 60 traineeships and apprenticeships
- 94 per cent of project spend with South East Queensland suppliers
This is the first stage of the 45km, $3.4 billion Coomera Connector project between Logan and the Gold Coast to open.
The central component of the project has hit a milestone of one year of construction and early works have been completed on the southern end, ready for main construction.
Environmental approvals are being worked through for the remaining 29km of Coomera Connector between Loganholme and Coomera, and detailed design for Stage 2 -from Yawalpah Road in Pimpama to Shipper Drive in Coomera – will begin next year.
The aim is reduced congestion on the Pacific Motorway to improve freight efficiency and support regional growth.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King says the upgrade is a win for motorists.
“Any local that’s sat on the Coomera stretch of the M1 during peak hour traffic will know what a difference this connector will make,” King says.
“The opening of the M9 will mean a safer, more reliable and smoother journey for thousands of commuters a day.
“This new infrastructure is all about reducing travel times, and it’s arrived just in time for the Christmas break, so commuters can get home earlier to their loved ones.”
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg says the Coomera Connector is one of Queensland’s largest transport projects.
“We’re proud to be working with the Australian Government to deliver real benefits to Queenslanders – reducing congestion, improving travel times, and supporting our growing communities,” Mickelberg says.
“Not only is this infrastructure vital to support increasing demand on our roads, but it’s also critical for our economy, with more than 1,000 jobs being supported across Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector project, and over 2.5 million working hours invested in Stage 1 North alone.”
