South-East Queensland motorists have been given their first look at plans for the $192.6 million M1 Pacific Motorway Exit 41 and Exit 49 upgrades at Yatala South and Pimpama.
Part of the Morrison Government’s Urban Congestion Fund, the upgrade will include new bridges with extra eastbound and westbound lanes.
The plans also show improved feeder roads, wider on and off ramps, signalised intersections and shared paths.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Alan Tudge said the works would dramatically improve road safety and bust congestion in this region of South-East Queensland.
“These interchange upgrades will mean faster travel from east to west and better protect motorists by slashing the queues on the hard shoulder of the M1,” Mr Tudge said.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said with forecast growth in the city’s northern corridor, the upgrades would increase capacity and build on more than $2.3 billion in upgrades already underway or soon-to-be underway on the M1, supporting more than 2,000 jobs.
“We’ve upgraded Exit 54 in partnership with the Australian Government, we’re also building a new Exit 57 and these new upgrades will make sure that truckies, tradies and families can spend less time getting on and off the M1 Pacific Motorway, and more time doing the important things,” Mr Bailey said.
Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen said the Morrison Government has provided $46.3 million in additional funding to fast track the works.
“Getting this major road infrastructure upgrade underway earlier will improve road safety on this notorious stretch of the M1 between exit 41 and 49 and get families and truckies home sooner and safer,” he said.
State Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the release of draft designs put the Exit 41 project on-track to begin later this year, and invited the community to have their say on the concepts.
“Our community wants action on transport and roads. That’s why it’s great to see action on these upgrades plus the delivery of three new train stations at Helensvale North, Pimpama and Merrimac/Worongary,” Ms Scanlon said.
The Australian and Queensland governments have committed $192.6 million towards this project, based on a 50:50 funding share arrangement.
