CJ Grosvenor, New Albana

The Government of New Albana is now seeking the public opinion of which one of three different alignment options for the future motorway extension of the M1. This project has been officially named as the M1 East.

The rationale behind this motorway extension proposal is that the M1 is the only motorway-standard infrastructure in New Albana. The existing M1 was built in 2009 linking from Ovingham (3km west of the CBD) to the South Coast via Grosvenor Airport. It is the busiest transport corridor in the country. In 2015, the recommendation was raised at the Federal Government's COID (Council of Infrastructure and Development) that a motorway extension from Ovingham to Grosvenor Central Business District is absolutely critical. It was seen as a pivotal long-term solution in managing one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the city - the M1 and Morningside Road intersection. From that intersection, motorists still have 12 more sets of traffic lights before they finally reach the CBD.

In September 2017, the Government of New Albana and the COID both have officially released the draft proposal with three different options as set out below:

Option 1 (Green): $1.3 billion, 2.5km tunnel
This option is the most expensive because it includes a 2.5km tunnel which is the longest out of other two proposals. The motorway tunnel begins at New Farm Park and ends just after West Terrace. This option will bypass at least 12 sets of traffic lights. This proposal will not require any property resumption, however, the physical size of the New Farm Park will be reduced. Option 1 and 2 will prevent the future possibilities of another motorway extension.

Option 2 (Red): $1 billion, 1km tunnel
This option includes a 1km motorway tunnel from Ovingham Park to the CBD, just after West Terrace. This option will bypass at least 7 sets of traffic lights. This proposal will require a slight realignment of the existing commuter railway tracks, just before Ovingham station and at least 4 properties will need to be resumed. Option 1 and 2 will prevent the future possibilities of another motorway extension.

Option 3 (Blue): $750 million, 400 metres tunnel
This option is slightly different as it does not provide a direct motorway link into the CBD but, instead, it will connect directly to the Haddle Road and West Terrace intersection. The motorway will go under Morningside Road (thus bypassing the most notorious bottleneck) and ends at Haddle Road instead. This option will result in at least 15 properties being resumed. The reason why this option was shortlisted is that it could be easier to extend the motorway again to Richmond by at least 2025.



XLNation, please comment below which proposal options the Federal Government of New Albana should pursue.