Contract awarded to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital access

Further access improvements to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital are a step closer with a $4.1 million contract being awarded to upgrade Nicklin Way.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the contract would see upgrades made to Nicklin Way from Main Drive to Waterview Street and provide a new access to Kawana Way via Production Avenue.

“The upgrades are being delivered under the Palaszczuk Government’s State Infrastructure Plan to boost the capacity of Nicklin Way and to enhance traffic flow to the new hospital,” Minister Bailey said.

“It will address the current peak-hour congestion caused when southbound motorists on Nicklin Way turn right and overflow into through traffic lanes.

“This will be a welcome improvement for the 40,000 motorists who use this section daily.”

Mr Bailey said locally based company SGQ Pty Ltd was successful in winning the contract.

Upgrade works will involve:

• providing an additional northbound traffic lane on Nicklin Way from just south of Main Drive to Waterview Street
• improving traffic signals to allocate more green arrow time for motorists turning right into Main Drive
• upgrading the Nicklin Way intersections with Main Drive/Wyanda Drive and Waterview Street/Minkara Street to improve safety and efficiency for motorists and pedestrians
• introducing new traffic signals and pedestrian crossings at the Production Avenue intersection

• building a new dedicated on-road lane for northbound bike riders.

Mr Bailey said Production Avenue would also be extended to provide an additional left-out access to Kawana Way.

“This new intersection will allow left turns onto Kawana Way which will distribute traffic more evenly across the network and in turn, ease congestion at existing intersections,” he said.

“We have also partnered with Sunshine Coast Council to deliver landscaping improvements as part of the project.”

Division 3 Councillor Peter Cox said Sunshine Coast Council’s streetscape upgrade development was an investment that would create a vibrant new look for this section of Nicklin Way.

“The upgrade involves strategic planting of native trees, shrubs and groundcovers to enhance the visual and shade amenity for people travelling along this key arterial road,” Cr Cox said.

Mr Bailey said this upgrade supplemented works already completed to improve access to the new hospital.

“Four roundabouts on Kawana Way have been upgraded and additional lanes installed at the Kawana Way Link Road intersection with Kawana Way near Woodlands Boulevard,” he said.

“Works on this latest package are expected to start in the coming months and be finished in time for Christmas, weather permitting.

“The combined $22 million package of works are expected to sustain 43 jobs over the life of the project.”

Further information, including layouts for the Nicklin Way upgrade and Production Avenue extension, are available at www.tmr.qld.gov.au by searching for ‘Sunshine Coast University Hospital access improvements’.

Works are continuing on $19 million worth of developer funded Nicklin Way upgrades between Beach Drive and Wurley Street.

These works include upgrades to the Lake Kawana Boulevard intersection to accommodate the Bokarina Beach residential development.

These works are expected are also expected to be completed by the end of this year, weather permitting.

ENDS

Media contact:          Dom Geiger 0447 355 565