Problem to be addressed

The Varsity Lakes to Tugun section of the M1 Pacific Motorway currently carries 90,000 vehicles per day, exceeding the design capacity for the four-lane motorway.

Traffic demand is forecast to grow to more than 100,000 vehicles by 2026 following the completion of upgrades to the M1 Pacific Motorway in northern NSW. In 2036 this is expected to reach 120,000 vehicles per day by 2036.

The limited capacity of the motorway impacts on the travel times of a variety of road users who rely on the motorway each day, including local residents, long-distance travellers, commercial vehicles, buses, tour operators and international and domestic tourists.

Project description

The project has strategic merit given it will improve the reliability and capacity of the National Land Transport Network in South East Queensland, providing improved accessibility for regional traffic and freight.

Economic, social and environmental value

The additional capacity created by the project would lead to travel-time savings for users and reliability improvements. The proponent’s stated benefit-cost ratio is 1.67, with a net present value of $419.4 million (7% real discount rate

Capital cost of initiative as stated by proponent (2018 business case) $1,016.5 million (P90, nominal, undiscounted) | Australian Government contribution $500 million | State government contribution $515 million | Private sector contribution N/A