Coomera Connector (Stage 1), Coomera to Nerang
The Stage 1 section of the Coomera Connector between Coomera and Nerang is around 16km and has been identified as the priority section to be built first.
Pacific Motorway, Exit 49, upgrade interchange
The Exit 49 interchange upgrade has delivered significant improvements in safety and traffic flow efficiency by keeping traffic moving through the improved interchange and reducing queuing.
Rapid industrial and residential development in the northern Gold Coast area is adding pressure to already busy Pacific Motorway (M1) interchanges. In response to this, the department has upgraded the Pimpama Interchange (Exit 49).
The project delivered a number of safety benefits to motorists using the M1 and the surrounding local road network, including Attenborough Boulevard, Yawalpah Road, Rifle Range Road, Waverley Drive and Bull Road. The upgrade has also improved traffic flow and increase efficiency at the interchange and reliability of access conditions for freight movements and transit times for all motorway users.
This project built a new bridge across the M1 with additional lanes, removed the existing roundabouts and installed traffic signals, relocated on-ramps and off-ramps away from the main interchange with signalised intersections that work in coordination with the rest of the interchange.
Benefits
- Improves safety
- Improves network efficiency
- Increases traffic flow
- Reduces peak hour congestion
- Reduces interchange queuing
- Increases capacity
Key features
- Removing existing roundabouts and replacing them with signalised intersections to allow traffic to flow more efficiently and safely.
- Moving the existing on and off ramps away from the main interchange intersections to reduce conflict points and traffic queuing. Diverting some traffic away from the interchange.
- Adding an additional bridge across the M1 for increased capacity of traffic movement.
- Adding pedestrian and cyclist connectivity across the M1.
- Landscaping with native plants to enhance the natural beauty of the residential area.
- Decreasing the downhill slope away from the interchange along Rifle Range Road to reduce issues with stopping.
Funding
$140.463 million is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, with a developer contribution bringing the total project value to $140.768 million. Investment ID 1176064
- Total investment
- $140.768 million
- Australian Government
- $55.232 million
- Queensland Government
- $85.232 million
Funding contributions subject to further consideration and negotiation with the Australian Government
Current status
Construction commenced in August 2022 and was completed in February 2025.Project map
