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Diamond in the rough: How new road aims to ease M1 ‘parking lot’

A complex “diverging diamond interchange” and a cycle way alongside Queensland’s busiest road is open under the first section of a $1 billion Pacific Motorway upgrade to ease traffic congestion on the southern Gold Coast.

Aug 09, 2022, updated Aug 09, 2022
The new section the M1 motorway is expected to east congestion on the southern Gold Coast. (Image: Supplied)

The new section the M1 motorway is expected to east congestion on the southern Gold Coast. (Image: Supplied)

The diverging diamond interchange, a congestion-busting new design first used in Queensland three years ago on the Sunshine Coast Motorway at Caloundra Rd and Steve Irwin Way, aims to help ease the parking-lot nature of the M1 between Burleigh in the south through to Varsity Lakes.

The first package of the 10-kilometre project opened this week, with traffic now flowing on three lanes in both directions on the M1 between Varsity Lakes and Burleigh.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the opening was a major milestone and was just one of eight M1 upgrades underway.

“The M1 is Queensland’s busiest road, seeing more than 210,000 vehicles regularly driving it on its busiest days,” Palaszczuk said.

“This $1 billion upgrade will widen 10 kilometres of the M1, upgrade interchanges, build better service roads and create active transport connections between Varsity Lakes and Tugun.”

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the project would increase capacity and improve safety between Varsity Lakes and Tugun.

“The opening of three lanes between Varsity Lakes and Burleigh and the fully functioning diverging diamond interchange is the start of a transformation of the M1 for Southern Gold Coast communities,” King said.

“The benefits of the full 10-kilometre upgrade will be far-reaching and a welcome relief to those regularly caught in congestion.”

Palaszczuk said works in the section included extending and relocating the Exit 85 northbound off-ramp by 250 metres, and adding a fourth northbound lane between Reedy Creek at Exit 85 and Burleigh at Exit 87.

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The complete project will widen the M1 to Tugun, but it has been reported that the discovery of around 44,000 tonnes of illegally dumped asbestos has delayed the building the southern-most section.

Queensland Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the opening of the extra lanes included the opening of a new shared pathway alongside the M1.

“Three-metre-wide shared paths are perfect for people on two wheels, electric scooters, people walking or families with prams, and this asset has already been given the seal of approval from the active transport community,” Bailey said.

“Growth in the region is skyrocketing and we’re backing that by building better roads and transport systems for the coast, from M1 upgrades, light rail and new heavy rail stations.”

There is currently no public transport option other than buses south of Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast.

 

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