The “End Roadworks” sign is now in sight for Robina / Varsity Pacific Motorway
In “Mid 2020”, the 100 km/h signs will go back up on the stretch of freshly widened M1 Pacific Motorway between Robina/Mudgeeraba (Exit 79) and Varsity Lakes/Burleigh (Exit 85).
We contacted the appointed contractor, Seymour Whyte, to discuss exactly when this 2 year long project will finally come to a close. Although they were tight-lipped on a specific date (pending weather and other variables), they report they are on target for a mid 2020 completion.
The works are being completed under a joint investment of the Australian Government ($110million) and the Queensland Government ($197.5million). The State Governments investment is outlined in the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2019-20 to 2022-23.
What exactly will change?
In short the following have been completed or are nearing completion:
- A 5.7km section of the Motorway will be widened to:
- 3 lanes in each direction between Mudgeeraba (Exit 79) and Varsity Lakes (Exit 85)
- 4 lanes northbound between Robina (Exit 82) and just south of Mudgeeraba (Exit 79)
- extending entry ramps and exit ramps
- reconstructing the Mudgeeraba Creek and Mudgeeraba Creek overflow bridges on the northbound side to better withstand flood events
- removing the right turn movement from The Link Way (Exit 80) off-ramp to The Link Way/Railway Street northbound to improve safety
- constructing a new bridge for Stapley Drive
- combining the southbound exit ramps to Stapley Drive and Reedy Creek Road
- installing ‘smart motorways’ technologies.
Changes are illustrated on the diagrams below:
Source: tmr.qld.gov.au – Click to enlarge diagram
Source: tmr.qld.gov.au – Click to enlarge diagram
Changes completed include
Permanent closure of the northbound M1 entry and exit ramps at the Reedy Creek North Caltex/McDonald’s site. A new and longer on-ramp will be constructed at Varsity Lakes (Exit 85) and an extended off-ramp at Robina (Exit 82). Access to the site from the M1 is now well-signed, directing motorists to take the Reedy Creek (Exit 85) northbound off-ramp and follow Old Coach Road to Gemvale Road.
Northbound
Works to construct the widened northbound carriageway between Robina (Exit 82) and The Link Way (Exit 80), which features 2 new bridges over the Mudgeeraba Creek floodplain, are now complete. Northbound traffic was moved onto new lanes on the widened northbound carriageway under a temporary traffic arrangement to allow work to start in the centre of the motorway from Mudgeeraba (Exit 79) to south of Robina (Exit 82). This traffic arrangement is expected to be in place until the first half of 2020.
The Link Way (Exit 80) northbound off-ramp near Mudgeeraba re-opened to motorists on its permanent alignment. The right-turn movement from the off-ramp north to The Link Way/Railway Street has been permanently removed to improve safety for motorists.
Southbound
One lane of the Robina (Exit 82) southbound on-ramp opened to motorists on its permanent alignment, with the second lane due to open to motorists in the first half of 2020. This ramp has been extended to improve safety for motorists merging onto the M1.
Temporary traffic changes near Exit 85 northbound
In April and September 2019, temporary changes were made to the alignment of the M1 near Varsity Lakes (Exit 85).
Traffic in both directions was moved to the eastern side of the alignment in stages to construct the permanent motorway lanes and new section of Stapley Drive bridge. Traffic entering the motorway northbound from Reedy Creek Road, Old Coach Road and Gemvale Road was also diverted onto this temporary alignment. See map below for further details.
This temporary traffic arrangement will remain in place until the permanent motorway lanes and new Stapley Drive bridge are constructed, expected in the first half of 2020.
Stapley Drive Bridge Duplication
The new bridge has been in use for around a year and the upgrade to the previous bridge is nearing completion. Check out this cool time-lapse video below:
Find Out More
Residents and motorists are encouraged to subscribe to the free email and SMS traffic alert update service for this project.
Register via phone on 1800 572 817 or sign up to the email list on M2VL@tmr.qld.gov.au – a very informative service which gives regular updates on closures / night works times, and overall progress of the project.
What’s next? Varsity Lakes to Tugun upgrade.
The next stage of the Motorway upgrade will commence immediately in mid 2020 following the completion of the current works.
Information on the $1.03billion Varsity to Tugun upgrade, scheduled for completion in 2023, can be found here:
The above website includes details on community consultation sessions being held during March 2020.
