Major construction ramps up on two QLD M1 Pacific Motorway upgrades

With the conclusion of the recent Commonwealth Games, major construction works are ready to commence on Queensland’s two congestion-busting M1 Pacific Motorway upgrades.

Early works were underway before the beginning of the Commonwealth Games and construction will now ramp up on both the widening of the M1 between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes as well as upgrades on the M1 / M3 / Gateway Merge.

According to Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities Paul Fletcher, these upgrades will help increase the capacity on one of the country’s busiest roads.

“These vital upgrades to the M1 will reduce congestion and improve the quality of life for people in South-East Queensland, getting them home sooner and safer instead of being stuck in traffic.

“These upgrades will also deliver major economic benefits and are expected to support up to 450 jobs,” Mr Fletcher said.

The $180 million upgrade between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes is going to be delivered by Seymour Whyte Construction and it will include:

• Widening a 5.7-kilometre section of the motorway to three lanes in each direction between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes; and to four lanes north bound between Robina and The Link Way
• Extending entry and exit ramps to meet the current design standards
• Reconstructing the Mudgeeraba Creek and Mudgeeraba Creek overflow bridges on the northbound side to better withstand floods
• Removing the right turn movement from The Link Way off-ramp to The Link Way northbound to improve safety
• Constructing a new bridge for Stapley Drive
• Combining the southbound exit ramps to Stapley Drive and Reedy Creek Road
• Making provision for a future managed motorway system

On the other hand, the M1 / M3 / Gateway Merge – expected to cost between $170 - $196 million – is going to be delivered by Lendlease Engineering Pty Ltd, and works will include:

• Additional southbound lanes between Eight Mile Plains and Rochedale
• 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

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said that there has been an increase in the number of locals travelling to and from Brisbane over the past 10 years due to the developments in Logan City and on the Gold Coast.

“This increase has resulted in the Gateway Merge section of the Pacific Motorway southbound reaching its operational capacity each afternoon.

“The additional southbound lanes on the Pacific Motorway along with the reconfiguration of the bus entry at Eight Mile Plains Bus Station will help ease congestion,” Mr Bailey said.

Both the upgrade between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes as well as the upgrade on the M1 / M3 / Gateway Merge are expected to be completed by mid-2020, weather permitting.

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Source: Queensland Government (1, 2, 3), Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities