The next stage of Bruce Highway upgrades for the Sunshine Coast is set to go underway, with a $3.13 billion pipeline of works for four years highlighted in the 2019-20 State Budget.
This investment includes an additional $22.8 million to upgrade the Maroochydore Road and Mons Road interchange, which is anticipated to create more than 380 jobs.
The project will now include:
“We’ve committed $60.25 million to increase the scope of the Maroochydore Road interchange project to include critical upgrades for Mons Road.
“The interchange upgrade will see a new four-lane, eastbound bridge built over the Bruce Highway at Maroochydore Road to accommodate growth in one of Queensland’s fastest-growing regions,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said.
The $60.25 million funding will join the $241 million investment from the Federal Government for the delivery of this project.
According to Mr Bailey, this project will focus on delivering active transport, with provisions for pedestrians as well as bike riders through the interchange that connects to the new east service road.
This builds on the key budget funding that will bust congestion in the Sunshine Coast, such as the $662.5 million duplication project between Steve Irwin Way and Caboolture; the $550 million Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade; and the ongoing funding for the $812.5 million highway upgrade between Caloundra Road and the Sunshine Motorway.
“More than 800,000 Queenslanders ride their bike each week, which is why we’re building bike infrastructure not only on this upgrade but also other upgrades along the coast including the Bruce upgrade from Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway.
“We expect the Department of Transport and Main Roads to get straight into the upgrade, with tenders going out in coming months ahead of construction next year, coinciding with the start of construction on the highway duplication between Caboolture and Steve Irwin Way,” Mr Bailey said.
In addition, the State Government is also prioritising unlocking rail capacity in the coast - with early works now underway on the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail project.
“By building the Sunshine Coast Rail upgrade, we’ll be able to cut travel times, take cars off the road and create a more integrated public transport network for locals and visitors.
“This year’s budget outlines the future projects we believe need to be prioritised for Queenslanders,” Mr Bailey said.
Earlier this month, the Queensland Government released the 2019-20 State Budget which has a record investment of $23 billion to deliver roads and transport infrastructure over four years as well as support more than 21,500 local jobs.
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Source: Queensland Government; Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development