THE HON ANTHONY ALBANESE MP

SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, CITIES AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

SHADOW MINISTER FOR TOURISM

MERYL SWANSON MP

MEMBER FOR PATERSON

LABOR COMMITS TO LONG AWAITED M1 EXTENSION

A Shorten Labor Government will invest $1.6 billion to extend the Pacific Highway (M1) from Black Hill to Raymond Terrace to ease congestion, cut travel times and improve the movement of freight between Sydney and Brisbane.

The Pacific Highway is one of the most-used roads in New South Wales.

According to Infrastructure Australia’s 2019 Priority List, more than 21,000 vehicles use the M1 in afternoon peak times, and this number is expected to increase by over 35 per cent by 2031 – or at least 7,560 vehicles. In holiday peak times, travel time on the stretch of road is reduced to as little as 20 kilometres per hour, adding over two hours to the journey.

The Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities classifies the upgrade of the M1 as a “near-term priority”, but over the last six years the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government has not invested a cent to progress the project. 

Under a Shorten Labor Government, the project will deliver:

·         A dual carriageway motorway with two lanes in each direction for 15 kilometres, bypassing Hexham and Heatherbrae.

·         New interchanges at Black Hill, Tarro, Tomago and Raymond Terrace.

·         A 2.6 kilometre bridge over Woodlands Close, the Main Northern Railway, New England Highway and Hunter River.

The project will create hundreds of jobs during the construction phase in the Hunter and Port Stephens and boost productivity by reducing traffic congestion for local residents, tourists, businesses and truck drivers.

This election is a choice between Labor’s plan for better infrastructure investment, or bigger tax loopholes for the top end of town under the Liberals. 

After six years of Liberal cuts and chaos, our united Labor team is ready.

TUESDAY, 23 APRIL 2019