Another Pacific Motorway M1 upgrade gets underway in the Gold Coast

More Queensland jobs are set to be supported as works begin on another Pacific Motorway M1 upgrade in the Gold Coast, which is part of the $2.3 billion M1 pipeline of upgrades. 

Following the completion of the $25 million Exit 57 upgrade, construction is now underway on the Exit 41 upgrade in the northern suburb of Yatala – home to emerging industrial precincts and communities. In addition, a $10 million in funding has been committed for the Exit 45 upgrade. 

“Almost one million people will call the Gold Coast home by 2041, and it’s crucial that our road and transport system is ready for that boom, and that we’re creating jobs for the people that move here. 

“For the Gold Coast that means we’ve been able to complete Exit 57, start building a $1 billion M1 upgrade to the border, lock in $755 million to build a second M1 and upgrade those interchanges in the northern suburbs where that growth is expected,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said. 

Exit 41 upgrade (source: Department of Transport and Main Roads)

The $96.3 million Exit 41 upgrade will include building a new bridge over the M1 and transforming the existing roundabout into signalised intersections. This project will also deliver new on and off-ramps as well as additional lanes on Cuthbert Drive and new shared paths for pedestrians and cyclists. 

“One of the outcomes of the Northern Gold Coast Mobility Study we conducted earlier this year identified that active transport was huge ask from residents, so we’ll be maximising the upgrade by building new shared paths to connect both sides. 

“There’s a record investment in roads and transport going into the Gold Coast with $2.3 billion in M1 upgrades, three new station being built as part of Cross River Rail and works already underway on light rail all the way to Burleigh, with a business case to take it to Coolangatta via the airport,” Mr Bailey said. 

The Exit 41 upgrade will support approximately 179 and the project is due for completion in 2022. 

The $202.6 million Pacific Motorway M1 Interchange upgrades is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments – each contributing $96.2 million and $106.3 million respectively – and will include upgrades to the M1 at: 

• Exit 38 in Yatala North 
• Exit 41 in Yatala South 
• Exit 45 in Ormeau 
• Exit 49 in Pimpama 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads