Works are now underway on Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade

Queensland’s long-awaited Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade is now under construction, taking this generational infrastructure a step closer to addressing long-standing congestion and safety issues on the Sunshine Motorway near Sippy Downs. 

Stage 1 of the project will include: 

• A new road overpass to provide a more direct and efficient connection from Nicklin Way to Brisbane Road at Mooloolaba 

• A new local road connection between Karawatha Drive at Mountain Creek and Brisbane Road at Mooloolaba 

• A new signalised intersection linking Brisbane Road and the new connection to Karawatha Drive, and provision of a two-way service road 

• New active transport provisions for pedestrians and bike riders, connecting Mountain Creek and Mooloolaba 

• Local traffic separated from high-speed motorway traffic 

“This is more than just a road upgrade – it’s about delivering the generational infrastructure Queensland needs for the future. 

“We’re backing the Sunshine Coast with real investment, real action, and a real plan to fix the transport bottlenecks that have held it back for too long,” Premier David Crisafulli said. 

“The Mooloolah River Interchange will transform the Sunshine Coast’s road network and futureproof a critical transport link for our region. 

“The former Labor Government neglected the Sunshine Coast during their decade of decline but our Crisafulli Government is listening to residents and delivering one of the biggest transport infrastructure funding boost the region has ever seen,” Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie said. 

Stage 1 map (source: QLD Department of Transport and Main Roads)

Future stages of the project are proposed to include: 

• New signalised intersection at Kawana Way 

• A new crossing over the Mooloolah River, connecting the Sunshine Motorway to Kawana Way 

• Direct connection for the Sunshine Motorway from north to west 

• Additional northbound lane between the Mooloolah River Interchange and Buderim-Mooloolaba interchange 

• Upgrade from two to four lanes between Kawana Way interchange and the Mooloolah River Interchange 

The Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade is also a critical component of The Wave – an integrated transport infrastructure plan for the Sunshine Coast – and it will facilitate seamless access to Kawana Way through to Sunshine Motorway as well as the Sunshine Coast Airport via the Maroochydore CBD. 

Future stages map (source: QLD Department of Transport and Main Roads)

Early works are already underway, including site preparation involving clearing, services relocations for public utilities, and geotechnical investigations. A second early works package, which is scheduled to begin in 2026, will focus on major earthworks and embankment construction. 

Main construction activities will commence next year once early works are finished. 

The Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade is expected to be completed in time for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

“We are delivering a strong plan for the State’s future by getting on with the job of building the roads and railways Queensland needs, unlike Labor who pulled funding for this key project. 

“After 10 years of decline under the former Labor Government, the Crisafulli Government is deliveirng for every Queenslander, including the Sunshine Coast community. 

“The Mooloolah River Interchange is about easing congestion, improving safety, and creating a connected Sunshine Coast region that is ready to welcome the world in 2032 and accommodate a growing population,” Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said. 

“We are pushing ahead with the MRI for the people of the Sunshine Coast following a decade of decline under the former Labor Government who failed to invest in vital transport infrastructure in this region,” Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads; Sunshine Coast News