The Gold Coast’s second M1 has been given its official name as stage one of the project prepares to finally open to traffic.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has confirmed the long-awaited motorway will be called the M9.
It comes as Stage One North, from Shipper Drive in Coomera to Helensvale Road, nears completion after over two years of construction.
Acting Mayor Mark Hammel has welcomed the impending opening, but admits the full benefits won’t be felt until the whole project is complete.
“As someone who drives from the north every day and sits in traffic at that Coomera pinch point, I think I talk on behalf of hundreds of thousands of Gold Coasters when I say we cannot wait for the first stage of the Coomera Connecter to open and get another crossing across the river,” he said.
“The first stage is critical, but it’s only the first stage and we need the entire project to go all the way through to the Logan Motorway to get the maximum benefit as a city from it”
Cr Hammel also raised concerns about the connectivity of the motorway to local roads.
“The point raised about connection to the local roads continues to be a major concern for any councillor, especially those divisions along the coastal area of how the local roads connect in. Are we seeing enough investment in those local roads to make sure that getting on the Coomera Connector is seamless,” he said.
“As a representative for an area that’s got the future Coomera Connecter to come through it, I’ve definitely got concerns that we’re not looking enough into what local road connections need to happen when, are we putting aside enough money as a city, and is the State serious about making sure the local road connections to get the full benefit from the Coomera Connecter will be there from day one.”
An exact opening date for Stage One North is yet to be confirmed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
