Project update – Traffic changes near Varsity Lakes (Exit 85)

After several weeks of progressive changed traffic conditions near Varsity Lakes (Exit 85), motorists are now travelling on the permanent motorway alignment in the southern section of the project. The new third lane in both directions is closed until all works along the 5.7-kilometre alignment are complete. The speed limit will remain at 80km/h, with reduced speed limits in place during night works, until the completion of the project in the coming months.

One lane of the new Stapley Drive bridge also opened to traffic this week and pedestrians are now able to use the new footpath on the northern side of the bridge – see the construction progress photographs below.

Finishing works to tie the new bridge into the local road network at either end are now underway.

Thank you to all those affected by our works for your patience and understanding, particularly during the ongoing recent night works and changed traffic conditions over the last few weeks. 

Next week – Sunday 5 to Wednesday 8 April 2020

Night works next week will occur Sunday to Wednesday nights from 6pm to 6am, with traffic impacts from 8pm to 4am. Some night works will occur behind construction barriers with no impacts to traffic expected. Other works will require some changed traffic conditions with reduced speed limits in place.

  • Project wide
    • Nightly electrical works for the installation of Smart Motorways signage and other features will occur in various locations along the M1, near entry/exit ramps and on the local road network near the M1 (including Somerset Drive and Robina Town Centre Drive). Most impacts will be minor with localised shoulder or lane closures in place. When impacts are more significant, such as ramp closures, further information will be provided.
  • The Link Way, Mudgeeraba
    • A lane closure will be in place along The Link Way each night next week for finishing works to traffic islands. Stop/go traffic control will be in place with motorists directed one way at a time.
  • Mudgeeraba (Exit 79)
    • The Mudgeeraba (Exit 79) northbound off-ramp will be closed on Sunday night for asphalting and Wednesday night for guardrail installation.
      • Motorists wanting to exit the motorway at this location should seek an alternative off-ramp including Merrimac (Exit 77) north or Robina (Exit 82) south.
    • A detour will be in place near Mudgeeraba (Exit 79) northbound on Monday night with traffic detoured via the off-ramp and on-ramp while asphalting occurs on the motorway.
  • Robina (Exit 82)
    • The Robina (Exit 82) northbound on-ramp and southbound off-ramp will be closed on Sunday night for electrical and guardrail works.
    • The Robina (Exit 82) southbound on-ramp will be closed on Monday and Tuesday nights for electrical works.
      • Motorists wanting to enter or exit the motorway at these locations should seek an alternative ramp.
  • Near Varsity Lakes (Exit 85)
    • Lane and shoulder closures will be in place at the Stapley Drive and Old Coach Road/Gemvale Road intersection each night next week for works to complete the traffic islands and other features.
      • Traffic control will be in place to direct motorists around the works.

The following week – Tuesday 14 to Thursday 16 April 2020

  • Project wide
    • Nightly electrical works for the installation of Smart Motorways signage and other features will occur in various locations along the M1, near entry/exit ramps and on the local road network on the approach roads. Most impacts will be minor with localised shoulder or lane closures in place. When impacts are more significant, such as ramp closures, further information will be provided.
  • The Link Way, Mudgeeraba
    • A lane closure will be in place along The Link Way each night for finishing works to traffic islands. Stop/go traffic control will be in place with motorists directed one way at a time.
  • Varsity Lakes (Exit 85)
    • The Varsity Lakes (Exit 85) southbound off-ramp will be closed nightly for finishing works along the ramp.
      • Motorists wanting to exit the motorway at this location should seek an alternative off-ramp including Robina (Exit 82) north or Burleigh (Exit 87) south.
    • Nightly lane and shoulder closures will be in place at the Stapley Drive and Old Coach Road/Gemvale Road intersection for works to complete asphalting, traffic islands and other features.
      • Traffic control will be in place to direct motorists around the works.

Day works continue along the alignment behind construction barriers Monday to Friday from 6am to 6pm. Some works may also be required outside of these hours including concrete pours for bridge finishing works occurring daily next week from 5.30am at the base of Mudgeeraba Creek bridge.

The project will close for the Easter break at 6pm on Thursday 9 April. Work will resume at 6am on Tuesday 14 April.

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Keep up-to-date

Over the coming few months, the project will continue with a wide range of widening and finishing works along the alignment. To keep you up-to-date with the project’s progress, email updates will now revert back to fortnightly. To alert motorists to any significant upcoming traffic changes, emailed Traffic Alerts and SMS messages (sent to those registered to receive information this way) will also be sent.