Sippy Downs: we’ve listened

A new and improved design for the Sippy Downs Sunshine Motorway interchange is now on public display, Parliamentary Secretary for Main Roads, Andrew McNamara, said today.

The interchange is a crucial component of the $43 million four lane upgrade of the Sunshine Motorway at Sippy Downs.

“This demonstrates we’re listening to the community when designing new road infrastructure in the booming South East.

“Main Roads was told by the community it could do better a better job on the Sippy Downs interchange, so we took on board the communities wishes, went back to the drawing board and designed a new interchange with west bound on and off ramps.”

Mr McNamara said the new interchange links Dixon and Claymore Roads to the Sunshine Motorway and will help ease traffic congestion around the University of the SunshineCoast.

"Maroochy Shire Council’s Sippy Downs Town Centre Master Plan has been an important tool for Main Roads in coming up with a design which will meet the demands of this fast growing region.

“But strong community feedback was the decider in overhauling the blueprint to come up with what the engineering experts call an all movement interchange.

“Construction of the improved interchange is expected to begin by June with work on local connector roads and the ramps to be ready by the start of the 2008 school year.

“The entire $110 million dollar Sunshine Motorway upgrade is on track for completion by Christmas 2008 and shows without doubt the Beattie Government is delivering for the motorists of the SunshineCoast,” Mr McNamara said.

A project newsletter outlining the new Sippy Downs interchange design has been delivered to local residents today.

The plans will also be on public display at:

• University of the SunshineCoast library Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs Monday, 16 April to Friday, 20 April 2007 (Open during library hours)
• Chancellor Park Marketplace University Way, Sippy Downs Saturday, 21 April 2007 (9.00am to 2.00pm)

Media Contact: Darren Roberts 3237 1947