Works starts on M1 interchange upgrade at Gold Coast's Ormeau

Works starts on M1 interchange upgrade at Gold Coast’s Ormeau

A new left-turn slip lane and acceleration lane to the existing Exit 45 southbound off-ramp will be constructed. Project Map courtesy of QLD Gov.

Work to upgrade the M1 motorway’s southbound Exit 45 near the northern Gold Coast suburb of Ormeau is about to get underway – as part of a broader project to upgrade M1 interchanges near Gold Coast.

The $20 million project, which is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on a 50:50 basis, will improve traffic flow for drivers on the M1 and local roads, while also reducing queuing on the M1.

The upgrade will include realigning the off-ramp to a new, signalised intersection on Lahrs Road, with additional lanes and a left-slip lane heading north on Lahrs Road, as well as localised road widening.

Construction is expected to take about six months to complete, weather permitting.

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Paul Fletcher, said the upgrade would help ease congestion in this fast growing region.

“By alleviating congestion along critical sections of roads like this one, we’re helping people to get home to their families sooner and safer, we’re helping freight move more quickly between our cities, and we’re generating jobs – with 30 jobs being supported through the life of this project,” Minister Fletcher said.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the project would accommodate future upgrades and include improvements for bike riders.

“Proving better active transport connections plays a really important part in major upgrades like this,” Mr Bailey said.

“That’s why we’ll be building on-road bike lanes at the interchange to improve the safety of bike riders in the area.”

This is just one of the many interchanges upgrades being delivered on the M1. The Queensland Government is also currently making progress on the Exit 41 upgrade at Yatala South, and plans for the short and long-term upgrades of Exit 49 at Pimpama and Exit 38 at Yatala North.

“This is on top of the $1 billion upgrade of the M1 on the southern Gold Coast between Varsity Lakes and Tugun, and $750 million upgrade to the north between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill – both currently well into construction,” Minister Bailey said.

For motorist and worker safety, the speed limit will be reduced to 80 km/h on the southbound lanes of the M1 during construction.

For more information on the Exit 45 upgrade, click here.