The design and construction contract for major works on the significant M1 / M3 / Gateway Merge between Eight Mile Plains and Rochedale South has been awarded to LendLease Engineering Pty Ltd, with early works at the Gateway Merge site is already underway.
“We are a step closer to commencing this important infrastructure project, which will improve congestion and safety on the Pacific Motorway.
“Today’s announcement delivers on a 2016 Australian Government election commitment to improve safety and ease congestion for the thousands of motorists travelling on the Pacific Motorway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast every day,” Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said.
This project is expected to create 131 jobs in addition to reducing traffic on the road.
According to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, commuters and industry in the region will notice a significant reduce in travel time once the upgrade is completed.
“This is one of the fastest growing regions in the state, and today’s announcement once again demonstrates how my government is getting on with the job, working with the Federal Government to get thousands of Queenslanders home to their families earlier each day.
“I understand how crucial this section is, and it’s great to see this contract being awarded as early works get underway,” The Premier said.
This upgrade will include:
- Additional southbound lanes on the Pacific Motorway between Eight Mile Plains and Rochedale (Exit 19)
- Construction of a new 4-lane overpass on Underwood Road north of the existing bridge
- Realignment of the bus entry from Eight Mile Plains Bus Station to the Pacific Motorway
“More than 148,000 vehicles travel through this section of the Pacific Motorway daily and we are proud to be contributing our major infrastructure experience to the improvement of this vital asset.
“The upgrade will address one of the state’s most problematic bottlenecks and improve travel time, reliability and safety for commuters, and help freight businesses operate more efficiently,” LendLease CEO Engineering and Services Craig Laslett said.
Major construction works are expected to begin after the Commonwealth Games in April 2018 and be completed by mid-2020.
The M1 Pacific Motorway – Gateway Motorway Merge project is expected to cost between $170 million – $196 million. This project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments.
Source: Queensland Government, Minister for Urban Infrastructure and LendLease
