Construction is set to commence by mid-2020 on Queensland’s M1 Pacific Motorway - Varsity Lakes to Tugun upgrade as crucial funding from the Federal and Queensland Governments has been secured.

The $250 million joint funding will get works going on the vital congestion-busting project.

“It will deliver improvements to the 10-kilometre stretch of the Pacific Motorway between Varsity Lakes and Tugun, including upgrading both the north and southbound lanes from four to six lanes.

“This is critical infrastructure that locals need both for safety and for reliability,” Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said.

The M1 Pacific Motorway - Varsity Lakes to Tugun upgrade is expected to be valued at approximately $1.03 billion, and the project will include:

• Widening a 10-kilometre stretch of the M1 to a minimum of three lanes in each direction between Varsity Lakes and Tugun with some areas to be widened to up to five lanes, including improvements to road alignment
• Extending all entry and exit ramps at interchanges, and significant improvements at Burleigh Heads (Exit 87), Tallebudgera (Exit 89) and Palm Beach (Exit 92)
• Widening the Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek bridges
• Construction of a new 2-way western service road between Tallebudgera (Exit 89) and Palm Beach (Exit 92) and a new bridge over Tallebudgera Creek connecting the new western service road
• Installation of smart motorway technologies to improve travel time between Nerang and Tugun
• Preserving the corridor for a possible future rail extension south of Varsity Lakes
• Installation of bike and pedestrian paths to improve active transport connectivity

“Building a better M1 will not only benefit communities and businesses that use it every day, it will also support our booming tourism industry and create more than 2,000 jobs in road construction,” Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said.

The delivery of this vital upgrade is going to be staged under four work packages, with the three widening packages to be under construction at the same time. The entire project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

“We are investing to deliver a world-class M1 that will support our growing population and bolster the economy for years to come.

“I’m committed to reducing commuter frustration for Gold Coasters, to get them home sooner and safer,” Federal Member for McPherson Karen Andrews said.

The upgrades are expected to support up to 837 jobs over the life of the project.

The Australian and State Governments have each committed $515 million towards the M1 Pacific Motorway - Varsity Lakes to Tugun upgrade.

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Source: Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure; Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads; Minister for Industry, Science and Technology; Mirage News