The $74.5 million Coommera Interchange (Exit 54) upgrade on the Pacific Motorway (M1) has reached a milestone with the opening of the second overpass bridge.
The project is creating an estimated 163 jobs and this milestone will help reduce congestion and increase safety for Queensland drivers.
Queensland Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said the bridge was now open to traffic.
“The opening of the new bridge and the northbound loop off-ramp will result in major changes to the way the interchange operates,” Mr Bailey said.
“Traffic lights at the new signalised intersection on the western side will also become active this week, replacing the roundabout connecting Days and Abraham roads.
“Motorists should see immediate improvements in travel times with better traffic flow across the interchange.”
Mr Bailey said the new overpass and intersection will be opening in a temporary configuration as work continues on building centre medians and road shoulders.
“The bridge will be opened to two lanes eastbound and one lane westbound in the short term. The final lane configurations should be ready for traffic in the next few months,” Mr Bailey said.
Motorists leaving the BP Coomera Service Centre will use a new signalised intersection and travel via the new loop off-ramp to access the interchange or continue on the ramp northbound to the Pacific Motorway (M1).
Mr Bailey said there would be minor changes to the eastern side of the motorway at the Foxwell Road intersection.
“Opening the new bridge to two lanes should ease congestion for motorists travelling from Foxwell Road across the interchange,” Mr Bailey said.
“The additional bridge lanes mean more traffic can pass through quicker, giving shorter wait times for Foxwell Road traffic.
“The eastern service road roundabout at the heavy vehicle weighbridge opened earlier this month, as well as the new access to Coomera Cemetery.
“The eastern side of the interchange is shaping up well and motorists can really start to visualise how the interchange will operate once the upgrade is finished.”
Work is expected to be completed in late 2016.
