Civil Mining and Construction (CMC) has secured an early works contract from the Government of Queensland, Australia, for the Pacific Motorway upgrade between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes.

The construction firm has already moved its team to a site near the Link Way in Mudgeeraba in order to begin the upgrade works this week.

Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said: "The funding commitment agreed between the Queensland and Commonwealth governments in March is a win for everyone who routinely experiences peak hour congestion on this section of the motorway.

"The fact we have a funding agreement during the design stage of these works shows the commitment of both levels of government to upgrade the M1 as a priority.”

"The fact we have a funding agreement during the design stage of these works shows the commitment of both levels of government to upgrade the M1 as a priority."

CMC will install CCTV cameras at the Mudgeeraba, Robina and Varsity Lakes interchanges, as well as an overhead electronic sign at Reedy Creek.

The M1 upgrade is expected to create nearly 321 jobs during the life of the project.

With the design almost complete, tenders for on-road construction are expected to be called later this year and works on the main contract will start shortly afterward.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said: "The main contract includes adding a third lane in both directions between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes, and a fourth lane northbound between Robina and Mudgeeraba interchanges."

Meanwhile, State Acting Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Steven Miles claimed work is expected to continue until early 2018, due to extensive underground works to relocate public service utilities between Exits 79 and 82.

Miles added: "By doing this now as part of the early works package, crews will be able to hit the ground running when main construction begins.

“Importantly, the upgrade will not impact traffic flows during the Commonwealth Games.

“A block-out period will be in place to ensure no planned roadwork lane closures or reduced speed limits occur on the motorway in the lead up to, and during the Games.”