Gold Coast residents are to get their first look at the M1 upgrade between Varsity Lakes and Tugun, with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to hold a series of community information sessions this week.
The sessions will run through specific aspects of the $1 billion project, which will support almost 850 jobs when major construction starts later this year.
Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk said the designs of the Burleigh-to-Palm Beach, and Palm Beach-to-Tugun upgrade packages showed what Gold Coasters could look forward to as part of plans to deliver infrastructure, boost jobs and reduce congestion.
“The Varsity Lakes-to-Tugun upgrade will be a game-changer for the southern Gold Coast, the national freight network, and the tourism industry that relies so heavily on the M1,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“It will provide much-needed relief for residents and commuters and support hundreds of local construction jobs.”
Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey said the Burleigh-to-Palm Beach package, which ended north of Nineteenth Avenue, included sensitive environmental areas around Tallebudgera.
“Work on the M1 between Burleigh and Palm Beach will include a 55-metre-long fauna underpass running beneath the M1 to connect the Burleigh-to-Springbrook bioregional wildlife corridor,” Mr Bailey said.
“It’s a delicate balance between growth and sustainability, so we’ve sought input from key environmental groups to develop a design for this upgrade that helps achieve that balance.”
He said one of the most exciting aspects of the upgrade was a new two-way service road to be built on the western side of the M1 running between Tallebudgera (Exit 89) and Palm Beach (Exit 92).
“That road will take local traffic off the M1 and give locals much better bike and pedestrian paths alongside it,” Mr Bailey said.
