M1 upgrade to include a service road

The service road will be built between Tallebudgera and Palm Beach to take pressure off the city’s busiest stretch of road.

Video and images released by the State Government show a wildlife underpass will be created near West Burleigh on the western side of the M1.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the project would create 850 jobs.

“The Varsity Lakes to Tugun upgrade will be a gamechanger 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.

“We have worked closely with the Federal Government to ensure funding is available for delivery of the upgrade as soon as possible.”

Major construction will begin this year, once the work on the Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes section of the M1 upgrade is completed.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the Burleigh to Palm Beach upgrade would be sensitive to environmental concerns.

“Work on the M1 between Burleigh and Palm Beach will include a 55m-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.

“One of the exciting aspects of this $1 billion upgrade is a new two-way service road to be built on the western side of the M1 running between Tallebudgera and Palm Beach.”

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As published by Andrew Potts of Gold Coast Bulletin