M1 traffic updates: Northbound Exit 41 ramp reopens after $82m upgrade
There’s a huge change coming to one of the M1’s most congested spots which will make a significant difference for Gold Coast motorists heading towards Brisbane. FIND OUT WHAT.
Transport
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MOTORISTS in the Gold Coast’s far north will have a smoother ride onto the M1, with a new on-ramp at one of the city’s most congested interchanges opening and speed limits will begin returning to 100km/h.
The northbound ramp on Exit 41 at the M1’s Yatala south interchange will open to traffic on Wednesday in the latest milestone of the $82.1m upgrade.
Speed limits will return to normal after being dropped to 80km/h for the works, while Lahrs Road will re-open to traffic.
Traffic signals will be switched on at the Cuthbert Drive intersection in a move state Transport Minister Mark Bailey said would “improve safety and traffic flow for northbound motorists”.
“The new on-ramp is significantly longer, which helps cars get up to speed before merging and reduces the slowing of traffic near the interchange,” he said.
“This milestone also allows the crews onsite to assess the road and potentially reduce the length of the 80-kilometre zone, which I’m sure will be good news for M1 drivers.
“Milestones on our M1 upgrades show just how much work is being done from Logan right through to Tugun as we make the road wider, safer, and improve the interchanges.”
And there’s more to come, with work on the upgrade of Ormeau’s Exit 45 expected to be completed before Christmas while construction has begun on the $100m upgrade of Pimpama’s interchange.
More than 130,000 vehicles used the M1 at Yatala each day.
The interchange upgrade was funded 50/50 between the state and federal governments.
Federal Transport Minister Catherine King said the work was already showing results.
“Motorists are already benefiting from less queuing since the new southbound on-ramp opened in April.
“We are committed to keeping Queensland moving and investing in critical infrastructure projects like this across the state.”
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