Queensland's M1 upgrade progresses, new exit design revealed -

Queensland’s M1 upgrade progresses, new exit design revealed

M1 - QLD - Motorway - plan — Image courtesy of QLD Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Work on a major upgrade of Exit 41 on Queensland’s M1 Pacific Motorway is now underway, with locals also getting the chance to have a first look at the proposed Exit 49 design at the Pimpama interchange.

Georgiou Group has been awarded the $45 million project for the M1 Pacific Motorway – Yatala South Interchange (Exit 41) by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DMTR).

The scope of work involves; construction of a new eastbound bridge on Computer Road, strengthening of Lahr’s Road bridge, construction of new signalised intersections, new pedestrian bridge, re-configuration of roundabouts, and associated works.

Executive General Manager East Coast Gary Georgiou said the award of this project marked Georgiou’s first motorway project in the region.

The two projects, Exit 41 and Exit 49, are part of the $1 billion M1 upgrade, which include upgrades to key interchanges between Gold Coast and Brisbane. The Queensland and Australian Governments are investing a combined total of $212.6 million for short and long-term upgrades of various interchanges on the M1 Motorway, including Exit 38 to Yatala North, Exit 41 to Yatala South, Exit 45 to Ormeau and Exit 49 to Pimpama.

The Exit 41 project will see an investment of $82.137 million, with equal contributions from the federal and state governments. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the investment would help to support he local road infrastructure of the Yatala South area.

“This upgrade will ease pressure off one of several key bottlenecks on the northern end of the Gold Coast – helping to reduce commute times in the future,” she said.

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Paul Fletcher said that the project will form part of a state-wide rollout of infrastructure improvements.

“This project brings to 63 the total number of Urban Congestion Fund projects around Australia that are completed or underway. A further 59 are expected to start construction this year,” he said.

Both the Exit 41 and Exit 49 projects are expected to create 360 jobs. Upgrades are being planned for Exit 38 (Yatala North) and Exit 45 (Ormeau), with community consultation for the Exit 45 (Ormeau) safety improvements design and the Exit 49 (Pimpama) upgrade.

Community feedback is being sought on recently release designs for the jointly-funded $110 million Exit 49 (Pimpama) upgrade while consultation will start soon on a plan for safety improvements at Exit 45 (Ormeau).

The Exit 49 Pimpama Interchange upgrade preliminary design includes:

A new bridge across the M1 with dedicated northeast-bound lanes
Reconfiguration of the existing bridge to accommodate southwest-bound traffic
Realignment of the on and off-ramps.

The upgrade will also include pedestrian and bike paths throughout the interchange to provide safe infrastructure for those who choose active travel to visit nearby shops and schools.

The preliminary design can be viewed by searching ‘Exit 49’ at www.tmr.qld.gov.au. The final design is expected to be complete late this year with construction due to start in early next year.