The construction contract for three major upgrades along the M1 Pacific Motorway has been awarded with motorisists set to see major benefits as work commences.
The $391.6 million M1 Pacific Motorway Upgrades are jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments and according to Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities Paul Fletcher, the upgrades will provide and safer and more reliable motorway for all motorists.
“The three major upgrades are being carried out between the Tuggerah and Doyalson interchanges, Kariong and Somersby interchanges and at the Weakleys Drive and John Renshaw Drive intersection,” Mr Fletcher said.
“This major congestion-busting project involves widening the motorway and upgrading three of the four ramps at the Kariong interchange to improve traffic flow and safety.”
According to New South Wales Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey, Fulton Hogan Construction Pty Ltd has been awarded the Kariong to Somersby upgrade, which is one of the three set to be delivered under the project.
“Work will start early next year and is expected to be completed in 2020, weather permitting, with the project expected to create 1,850 jobs,” Mrs Pavey said.
“Tenders for the contract to build the M1 Upgrade at the intersection of Weakleys Drive and John Renshaw Drive are also being assessed. This upgrade will involve replacing the existing roundabout with traffic lights to improve traffic flow, travel times and safety for motorists, with the successful contractor expected to be announced shortly.
Work on this project is expected to start early in the new year with the upgrade expected to be completed in 2019.
The upgrades on the M1 will benefit commuters, holiday traffic, heavy vehicles and public transport users by improving traffic flow for better and more reliable trips thereby making it easier to move freight, allowing for predicted increases in traffic and providing safer access to and from the motorway.
“We have around 30,000 commuters on the Central Coast who leave early in the morning and arrive home late at night to their families. This will help get them home sooner, and spend less time stuck in congestion,” said Federal Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks said.
The third upgrade between Tuggerah and Doyalson interchanges is progressing well according to Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and the Hunter Scot Macdonald, with 80km/h speed limits implemented along the 12-kilometre section of motorway.
“More than 70,000 light and heavy vehicles travel between the Central Coast and Hunter region and Sydney each day, and it's great to see these upgrades underway,” Mr MacDonald said.
Major work for this project started in August, 2017 and is expected to be completed in 2020.
If you’re interested in keeping up to date with more M1 upgrades such as the $365m contract awarded to CPB contractors for the Pacific Highway Upgrade or the $136m contract awarded to Seymour Whyte for additional works on the M1 upgrade subscribe to Felix Project News today and receive the latest industry news straight to your inbox.
Source: Minister for Urban Infrastructure
