Eenie Creek cycle bridge to link community

A new $600,000 pedestrian and cycle bridge to be built along Eenie Creek Road at Sunshine Beach will provide a vital link to schools and communities in the area, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Phil Reeves, said today.

In Noosa today to inspect the site, Mr Reeves said the State Government would commit $300,000 with Noosa Shire Council committing another $300,00 to fund the project.

The bridge will link shared walking and cycle paths between Sunshine Beach State School, St Thomas More Catholic Primary School and Sunshine Beach State High School.

“As well as being a major boost for road safety in the area, this bridge will give walkers and cyclists even more opportunity to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle,” Mr Reeves said.

“The bridge will enable students to travel between the Aquatic Centre, the Bicentennial Hall, the rugby complex and the community centre without having to go on a road.

“They will be able to walk or cycle safely above the new Eenie Creek Road, which will be a busy arterial road carrying more than 20,000 vehicles a day.

“It will also be a key pathway for pedestrians moving between the school, shops and major sporting facilities.

“I’d like to especially thank Noosa Shire Council for contributing half the funding to this major project.

“It is smart, cooperative projects like this that encourage people to leave their cars at home and journey by foot or by bike, reducing congestion on local roads and helping the environment at the same time.”

The bridge’s construction was supported by all three school communities, who participate in the TravelSmart Schools program which encourages students to walk, cycle, car-pool or use public transport. It was also supported by the Noosa Bicycle Advisory Group as well as the local business communities.

Mr Reeves said the bridge would provide a safe cycling environment and dedicated space for commuter and recreational cyclists, and remove the need to take a more indirect route via traffic lights at Ben Lexcen Drive.

Construction on the bridge is expected to be completed by February 2008.