Roads boost thanks to new Sunshine Coast development

Published Friday, 18 August, 2017 at 09:00 AM

Acting Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports
The Honourable Steven Miles

Sunshine Coast road users are set to benefit from a major $19 million project to service the new Bokarina Beach community.

Construction will start this month on a temporary side road on Nicklin Way as works ramp up on key infrastructure required to service the development.

Main Roads and Road Safety Acting Minister Steven Miles said Stockland’s new community of Bokarina Beach, bounded by Beach Drive, Nicklin Way and Wurley Drive, was expected to welcome approximately 2,500 new residents.

“Works will increase the capacity of the surrounding road network to keep infrastructure in step with the development,” Mr Miles said.

“Benefits for the wider community will include significantly improved traffic flow, pedestrian and cycle routes and connections to the Oceanside community.

“Capacity upgrades will streamline access to the new community as well as offset projected traffic increases to maintain connectivity both locally and to key areas of the Sunshine Coast.

“Managing infrastructure capacity is vital to the success of new developments and the Queensland Government has conditioned the developer, Stockland, to undertake these $19 million works at no cost to Queenslanders.”

The project, fully funded by Stockland, will focus on augmenting the existing Nicklin Way/Lake Kawana Boulevard intersection with a new road, combined with additional capacity upgrades.

General Manager for Queensland at Stockland Kingsley Andrew said Sunshine Coast based civil construction company Hall Contracting had been appointed to deliver the works.

“This crucial project will provide many benefits to motorists and pedestrians once complete,” Mr Andrew said.

“The safety of drivers and pedestrians during construction is a priority and we are working to minimise impacts to surrounding residents, businesses, traffic, pedestrians and cyclists during construction.”

Mr Andrew said the soon-to-be constructed Bokarina Boulevard would create a new leg from the intersection into Bokarina Beach, changing the existing three-way ‘T’ intersection to a four-way, fully signalised configuration.

“An additional south-bound lane will keep traffic moving through the intersection and an extra right turn lane to Lake Kawana Boulevard will further open up access to the Sunshine Coast Health Precinct,” he said.

“One of the key features of the Bokarina Beach masterplan is the extension of Lake Kawana so that it spans both sides of Nicklin Way, creating a stunning vista and allowing kayakers to paddle into our new community.”

Mr Miles said innovative design will enable the lake extension and bridge crossing to include exciting new active transport options via an underpass facility.

“The active transport options are a real win for the community with new dedicated pedestrian and cycle paths set to revitalise recreational facilities and promote genuine commuter alternatives,” he said.

“Public transport is also set to benefit with a new north-bound bus lane through the intersection and an indented bus stop on the south-bound lane just south of Beach Drive.

“To achieve these improvements, work to construct a temporary ‘side road’ on the western side of Nicklin Way will soon be underway to allow for construction works while minimising traffic impacts.

Roadworks will be in full swing by the second half of August, weather and construction conditions pending. Traffic control measures will begin to be put in place from Tuesday 15 August.

Motorists can expect reduced speed limits while a side track is built on the western side of Nicklin way. Later this year, traffic will be diverted to the side track to allow Nicklin Way to be upgraded. It is anticipated works will be complete in late 2018.

 

At a glance

The Bokarina Beach development is situated on Nicklin Way and bordered by Beach Drive and Wurley Drive.

Works include:

• new bridge crossings on Nicklin Way with a pedestrian and cycle path underneath and the extension of Lake Kawana into the Bokarina Beach site;

• the intersection of Nicklin Way and Lake Kawana Boulevard will be upgraded to accommodate the new access to the development site;

• an additional south-bound lane through the intersection, which will allow more traffic to pass through;

• an additional right-turn lane into Lake Kawana Boulevard to improve access to the Sunshine Coast Health Precinct;

• a new north-bound dedicated bus lane through the intersection and an indented bus stop on the south-bound lane just south of Beach Drive; and

• dedicated bicycle lanes and an upgraded pedestrian crossing on Nicklin Way.

ENDS

Media contact, Dominic Geiger, 0447355565