Drivers, be calm as work rolls on

MOTORISTS can expect the two worst bottlenecks on the Pacific Motorway to be fixed by June 2020.

But it will be at least four and a half years before the drive between the NSW border and Brisbane can occur without delays due to major construction on highway upgrades.

The message delivered after a site inspection yesterday was for Christmas-New Year commuters to show patience.

Transport and Main Roads South Coast regional director Paul Noonan and his staff took Minister Mark Bailey and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon on a bus tour to check work sites on the 5.7km upgrade between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes.

Transport bosses forecast the Coast section will be opened in 18 months and the M1-M3 merge at Springwood slightly earlier.

“From this point on to reach the finish, it will be 16 months,” Mr Noonan said. “But we will add two months for contingencies because we know there will be weather delays.

“It will be better in parts (when finished) but it is part of the master plan. To see the full benefits, the Government has committed to building Varsity to Tugun. When this project finishes, we will move the yellow machines from this project to the next.

“So in that sense people will see activity and changed conditions on the M1 probably for the next four and half years. So we just ask people to be patient, it will be brilliant when all that work is done.”

Mr Bailey welcomed the update, which shows the machines will be moved from the Varsity section south on the day the current stretch is finished.

More than 300 workers are employed and, pending contracts, more will be assigned to the next stage.

“There are a whole range of pluses,” Mr Bailey said, referring to running jobs back to back.

A skilled workforce could quickly move to the next job and motorists were aware of the challenges with road upgrades.

Mr Bailey said motorists would see some major new work on the project in February when pylons were put in for overhead bridges. He said a site lockdown would occur between December 21 and January 7 but lower speed limits have to remain in place.

Mr Noonan believed motorists should get through “in a reasonable amount of time” if they were patient and kept to the speed limit.

“I’m not saying there won’t be delays at the absolute peaks. We know Christmas Eve and Boxing Day are extremely busy times on the M1.

“Where possible use alternative routes.”