Qld govt to reveal Games traffic plan

The riverside walkways on the fringe of Brisbane's central business district were awash yesterday...
Up to 150,000 people are expected to travel between Brisbane and the Gold Coast during next year's Commonwealth Games. Photo: Getty Images.

The Queensland government is set to announce a bold plan to ensure Commonwealth Games athletes do not miss their events due to traffic.

Competitors will be driven down the shoulder of the Pacific Motorway - connecting Brisbane and the Gold Coast - with a police escort, News Corp reported on Wednesday, ahead of an announcement by Games Minister Kate Jones.

Other measures expected to be unveiled on the Gold Coast include dropping the speed limit to 100kmh on the M1's 110kmh sections, and allowing free public transport for Games ticket holders.

Ms Jones says the government wants to get as many people off the road as possible during next year's event, held from April 4 to 15.

"For those unable to stay on the Coast, we want to make public transport the preferred option," she said.

But opposition transport spokesman Andrew Powell said the traffic plan would not be needed if key upgrades to Pacific Motorway bottlenecks at the Gateway merge and between Mudgeereeba and Varsity Lakes had been completed.

"Athletes will be forced into the emergency lanes while commuters will still be stuck in bumper to bumper traffic because (main roads minister) Mark Bailey was too busy playing politics with the M1 - what a dog's breakfast," Mr Powell said in a statement.

Up to 150,000 people are expected to travel between Brisbane and the Gold Coast during the two-week event.

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