Residents divided on exit works

THE State Government is about to start safety works on upgrading the notorious Pimpama exit on the M1.

But the announcement has divided residents in the city’s northern corridor, with some applauding the road improvement plan for Exit 49 and others saying it will only add to the peak-hour traffic nightmare.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said work on the $1.5 million shortterm project was about to start.

The Bulletin this month revealed a council report using intersection surveys and seven-day “tube counts” that showed congestion was being caused by motorists driving across the interchange bridges. Some are waiting 23 minutes to crawl 150m.

“These works will create more capacity at the northbound off-ramp and also involve the installation of roundabout metering at the Rifle Range Rd and Yawalpah Rd roundabouts,” Mr Bailey said.

“This project is in addition to the half-a-million dollars the Palaszczuk Government has invested for planning to complete major upgrades at this exit and Exit 45 at Ormeau.

“As well, business cases are now underway for Exit 38 Yatala North and Exit 41 Yatala South with $4.2 million committed, while as per our 2017 election promise we are investing $25 million to upgrade the Oxenford Interchange.”

Mr Bailey predicted works at Exit 49 would be completed by the end of the year.

Area councillor and Deputy Mayor Donna Gates alerted residents on her official Facebook page that the safety upgrade would start Friday week.

Department of Main Roads said additional capacity would be created on the northbound off-ramp at the entry to the interchange by extending width of the corridor.

Tradies accessing the Yatala industrial estate have to queue at peak hour on the M1, and changes should enable more vehicles to be accommodated on the off-ramp rather than the highway.

The flow of traffic would be controlled by new traffic signals on both the Yawalpah Rd and Rifle Range Rd roundabouts.

The major work will be undertaken from 7pm-4am, with only minor jobs during the day.

Some residents responding to the post by Cr Gates welcomed the announcement, with one saying it was “great news – so dangerous the queuing in the emergency lanes on the M1 both north and south at Exit 49”.

But many drivers said a similar use of metering at the Ormeau exit had not worked.

“Exit signalling has been a disaster for residents at Exit 45, stuffed up the local traffic,” a resident wrote. the