Kawana Way roundabout upgrades to improve hospital access

The highest priority project to improve traffic access to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH) is nearing completion with works to improve capacity at four roundabouts on Kawana Way on track to be finished by the end of February, weather permitting.

Roundabouts at the intersections of Kawana Way with Jamaica Way, Kawana Island Boulevard and Premier Circuit have been upgraded, and work is underway at Metier Linkway, to include two through lanes for Kawana Way.

A section of Kawana Way is also being rehabilitated with nightworks underway from mid-February.

The work is being delivered under a $22 million Palaszczuk Government funding package to improve access to the SCUH.

Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said the upgrades were identified as the highest priority project by the interagency taskforce formed to identify access improvements to the hospital.

“I’m pleased to say these upgrades will be complete ahead of the new hospital opening in March 2017,” Mr Bailey said.

“Upgrading the Kawana Way roundabouts was important to streamline hospital access and a win for locals with reduced congestion during peak travel times.

“The number of cars that can circulate has significantly increased.

“Additional benefits include dedicated off-road cycle lanes, improved lighting and traffic signals on two legs of the Kawana Island Boulevard roundabout.

“The traffic signals will not be needed when traffic is flowing.

“They are in place to future-proof the roundabout for when traffic volumes grow over time.”

Mr Bailey said the signals would work in conjunction with in-pavement vehicle detectors located on approach to the roundabout, to create gaps in the flow of traffic along Kawana Way during peak periods.

“This will help manage traffic on Kawana Island Boulevard and improve traffic flow. The technique is known as roundabout metering,” he said.

“The new roundabout metering signals feature amber and red lights, there is no green. There will also be signs instructing motorists to ‘stop on red signal’.

“When there is no red or amber signal, drivers can move to the roundabout, following the usual roundabout rules, and give way.

“The signals will only be triggered when loops in the road detect traffic queuing.

“Unlike normal traffic lights, the signals only operate when traffic builds up - at all other times normal roundabout rules will apply.

“In addition, a new CCTV camera will monitor traffic conditions.”

Mr Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government was pleased to fund this priority project and now looked ahead to additional priority works to continue to improve access to the precinct.

“Capacity-improvement works on Kawana Way Link Road between Woodlands and Creekside boulevards area on target for completion mid-year,” he said.

“The SCUH is the first major non-replacement public hospital to be built in Australia in more than 20 years and the Palaszczuk Government is committed to improving access to the facility.

“Signalised intersections along Nicklin Way and Kawana Way have already been updated with technology that will give priority to emergency service vehicles for urgent cases.”

Further information is available at www.tmr.qld.gov.au by clicking on 1) Projects, then 2) ‘S’, then 3) Sunshine Coast University Hospital access improvements.

The Sunshine Coast University Hospital interagency taskforce includes representatives from the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Services, Sunshine Coast Council, University of the Sunshine Coast, and the Departments of Health, State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, and Transport and Main Roads.

The taskforce will continue to work on identifying ways to improve access to the hospital.

Media contact:

Minister Bailey’s office – Zoe Russell 0428 079 640