17 April 2020

Project update – Asphalt finishing works

To create a quality road surface that will last for many years to come, different mixes of asphalt are applied in layers, with each layer performing a unique role in the overall strength of the finished road. This process is particularly important for a motorway like the M1 with very high traffic volumes (more than 80,000 vehicle movements per day). In the Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes alignment, multiple layers of new asphalt have already been installed.

Before construction of a new road is complete, the final layer of asphalt is applied – this is called the ‘wearing course’. This final asphalt layer has already been applied in some sections, mainly in the newly widened northbound lanes. Over the coming weeks, this process of applying the final layer of asphalt will continue along the remainder of the alignment including entry and exit ramps, the remaining northbound sections and the entire length of the southbound lanes.

These final asphalt works are occurring during nightshift with changed traffic conditions in place including reduced speed limits, various lane closures along the motorway and some ramp closures. Other finishing works are also underway during the day and at night. See below for further details.

Above: Some of the project’s asphalt works in the new northbound lanes in late 2019 and early 2020.

Next week – Sunday 19 to Thursday 23 April 2020

Next week will be busy at night across the entire alignment with a wide range of finishing works occurring. Due to the current lower traffic volumes, nightly traffic impacts now start earlier at 6pm.

Night works occur Sunday to Thursday nights from 6pm to 6am, with traffic impacts from 6pm 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
    • Localised lane and shoulder closures will be in place nightly along the M1, on ramps and on approach roads to the M1 (including Robina Town Centre Drive, Somerset Drive, Mudgeeraba Road, Burleigh Connection Road and Robina Parkway). These closures are required for a range of works including landscape maintenance and watering, asphalting, and electrical works for the installation of Smart Motorways signage, lighting and other features. Impacts to traffic are expected to be minor with motorists diverted around the works zones.
  • Mudgeeraba (Exit 79)
    • A shoulder closure will be in place at the Mudgeeraba (Exit 79) northbound on-ramp on Sunday night for asphalting and Wednesday night for guardrail installation.
    • A shoulder closure will also be in place at the Mudgeeraba (Exit 79) southbound on-ramp on Monday and Tuesday nights for guardrail and lighting installation.
      • On Tuesday night, to ensure safety, brief delays of up to 5-minutes may be experienced when light poles are lifted into place by crane.
  • Robina (Exit 82)
    • The Robina (Exit 82) southbound on-ramp will be closed Sunday to Tuesday nights for the movement of concrete construction barriers and asphalting.
    • A detour will be in place near Robina (Exit 82) northbound on Sunday night with traffic diverted via the off-ramp and on-ramp while asphalting occurs along the motorway.
  • Varsity Lakes (Exit 85)
    • The Varsity Lakes (Exit 85) northbound on-ramp will be closed nightly for guardrail and concrete island installation, barrier movements and asphalting.
    • Intermittent nightly shoulder closures will be in place on Stapley Drive bridge to install footings for electrical features and guardrail, and painting of traffic islands.

The following week – Sunday 26 to Thursday 30 April 2020

  • Project wide
    • Localised lane and shoulder closures will continue to be in place nightly along the M1, on ramps and on approach roads. These closures are required for a range of finishing works including asphalting and the installation of electrical features.
  • Robina (Exit 82)
    • A nightly lane closure will be in place in the northbound lanes south of Robina (Exit 82) for asphalting.
  • Varsity Lakes (Exit 85)
    • The Varsity Lakes (Exit 85) southbound off-ramp will be closed on Wednesday night to move concrete construction barriers.
    • A lane closure will be in place in the northbound lanes near Stapley Drive bridge on Thursday night to remove concrete construction barriers.

Day works continue along the alignment behind construction barriers Monday to Friday from 6am to 6pm.

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Changed traffic conditions at night

With the entire 5.7-kilometre alignment between Mudgeeraba (Exit 79) and Varsity Lakes (Exit 85) now very busy at night with finishing works, motorists should expect multiple intermittent changed traffic conditions including reduced speed limits. These conditions may result in minor delays being experienced.

When on-ramps or off-ramps are closed, motorists should seek an alternative ramp including the entry/exit ramps directly north or south of the closure. Signage will be in place on the motorway prior to any ramp closures to alert motorists. Information about planned major closures will also be provided via emailed Traffic Alerts and SMS, for those registered for this free service. To register, see the project’s contact details below.

We apologise for any inconvenience these brief delays may cause and thank you for your ongoing patience while we complete this important road upgrade.

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