Following the completion of designs for two work packages, another major milestone has been reached on the $1.03 billion M1 Pacific Motorway Upgrade between Varsity Lakes and Tugun (VL2T) in Queensland with the awarding of the first construction contract.
According to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, the State Government will be investing in the community during this trying time by progressing work on projects including the M1 upgrades.
“Fighting COVID-19 is the major focus of my government right now but we will keep investing in major infrastructure right across Queensland.
“The Varsity Lakes to Tugun upgrade is set to support almost 850 jobs at a time when creating and maintaining jobs has never been more critical,” the Premier said.
Amidst the current COVID-19 crisis, the Australian Government is prioritising the importance of keeping the delivery of vital infrastructure projects on track.
“This project will be critical to infrastructure and hundreds of jobs on the Gold Coast.
“We’re adding more lanes to one of the most congested sections between Varsity Lakes and Burleigh to get motorists home sooner and safer,” Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said.
The contract to deliver the first section of the VL2T upgrade – between Varsity Lakes and Burleigh – has been awarded to Seymour Whyte Constructions.
“I’ve always said we would accelerate works on this much larger upgrade, so it was ready to roll as soon as the Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes project was completed, and we have met that commitment.
“This is an incredibly important milestone for the overarching 10-kilometre upgrade,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said.
The VL2T upgrade is going to be delivered under a series of work packages, namely Package A – Varsity Lakes to Burleigh; Package B – Burleigh to Palm Beach; Package C – Palm Beach to Tugun; and Package D which will deliver smart motorway technologies between Nerang and Mudgeeraba.
The entire VL2T project will include:
- Widening 10 kilometres of the M1 from two to a minimum of three lanes in both directions between Varsity Lakes (Exit 85) and Tugun (Exit 95), with some areas widened to five lanes and include improvements to the road alignment
- Extending all entry and exit ramps at interchanges, and significant improvements to Burleigh Heads (Exit 87), Tallebudgera (Exit 89) and Palm Beach (Exit 92)
- Widening the Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek bridges
- Construction of a new two-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
- Installing bike and pedestrian paths to improve active transport connectivity
“The major works will include widening the m1 from two to three lanes in both directions, extending entry and exit ramps and rebuilding Burleigh Interchange (Exit 87) into a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI).
“The DDI will be a first for the Gold Coast, providing a new way to keep traffic moving and improve safety for motorists, bike riders and pedestrians,” Mr Bailey said.
Federal Member for McPherson Karen Andrews said that this major congestion-busting project will also help boost the Gold Coast economy for years to come.
“The Morrison Government is investing in the Gold Coast to support our economy in the best way it can now, while also ensuring our growing population is supported in the future.
“Gold Coast drivers will be pleased to know the Coronavirus isn’t affecting construction, with the start of minor works on track to begin in the coming weeks,” Mrs Andrews said.
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Source: Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure; QLD Department of Transport and Main Roads; MyGC.com.au
