Signature Project

Varsity Lakes Interchange - Pacific Motorway

A $22.3 million project for the Department of Main Roads Major Projects Division at the busy Varsity Lakes Interchange on the southern reaches of the Gold Coast.

This was the Company's second R4 level project following on from the successful completion of the $36.2 million Sunshine Motorway - Pacific Paradise project in 2009. Work on the project commenced in June 2009 and was completed on March 2011. Significant delays were experienced on the project as a result of the extremely wet conditions that occurred during the summer of 2010/2011.

The project is an intricate intersection realignment involving the construction of three new traffic-light controlled intersections and the realignment and construction of four on and off ramps to the Pacific Motorway. The existing bridge over the Pacific Motorway was widened with the addition of a pedestrian lane. A large portion of the work on the bridge was undertaken at night to minimise the disruption to traffic on the Motorway, but was also restricted in duration to reduce the noise impact on the local community. Traffic flows that had to be dealt with on the Pacific Motorway were of the order of 50,000 to 85,000 vehicles per day.

Despite a very high number of traffic switches taking place during the construction phase, minimal disruption to traffic flows occurred and access to local residents and businesses was maintained at all times. There were also no traffic incidents or accidents as a result of the multiple traffic switches or construction activities. Environmental issues were of primary concern, as a large portion of the works was located upstream of a pristine wetland area. Major culvert construction took place in the watercourse feeding the wetland, but special precautions and careful planning resulted in no environmental harm being caused to the wetland or any adjacent areas.

Despite the weather delays, real time and cost savings were achieved on the project as a result of design changes suggested by the site construction team and adopted by the client.