Fixing the M1: work about to start on upgrading the Gold Coast’s worst intersection for gridlock

Work is getting underway today on a plan to fix the most notorious exit on the Pacific Motorway.

WORK is expected to start today on a plan to fix the most notorious exit on the Pacific Motorway.

Main Roads says crews will begin work on site at the $25 million M1 upgrade at Exit 57 at Oxenford.

Traffic at Exit 57 along the M1. Photo: Jerad Williams

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The Government says the project will cut travel times through the Oxenford interchange by 40 per cent, and marks the next stage of the Palaszczuk Government’s $2.3 billion program of M1 works.

After feedback from community consultation, the designs for the upgrade have been slightly altered.

The key features will be extra lanes, reduced queuing across the intersection and a move to ensure a U-turn option so drivers can head back south along the M1.

Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said the upgrade would get families home sooner and safer.

How the redevloped Artist impression of the redevelopment of the M1 interchange at Oxenford — the plans were later slightly changed after feedback from residents and businesses.

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“We’re building a better M1,” she said. “We are committed to upgrading the Oxenford interchange at the last election, and we’re delivering on that.

“From new lanes on the M1 between Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes, the M1/M3 merge upgrade and better interchanges, the Palaszczuk Government is tackling congestion on the Coast.”

Exit 57 at Oxenford is notorious as one of the worst on the M1. Picture: Dept of Transport and Main Roads.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the upgrade would provide additional turning lanes from the M1 to Hope Island and Tamborine-Oxenford roads.

“We’re widening the interchange, adding new lanes to reduce queuing and simplifying the sequence of lights to make it faster for motorists to get through the interchange and on and off the M1,” Mr Bailey said.

“These changes will mean drivers won’t have to queue dangerously on the M1 to get onto Oxenford-Tamborine Road.”

Transport Minister Mark Bailey and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon on a site tour of work on an M1 upgrade.

Mr Bailey said the project would include the installation of a new U-turn facility along Oxenford-Tamborine Road.

Consultation included face-to-face meetings, doorknocking and delivery of newsletters to almost 40,000 households.

Solar panels at the interchange will be temporarily removed during construction to allow and be reinstalled when construction is complete.

Construction is expected to take 12 months, weather permitting.