Dixon Road Interchange underway

Workers are on-site as construction of the $19 million Dixon Road interchange swings into gear at Sippy Downs.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas, said the Dixon Road interchange is the final component of the $66 million Sippy Downs Drive to Kawana Way section of the Sunshine Motorway upgrade.

“The start of work on the new Dixon Road interchange is another milestone in the rolling upgrade and duplication of 16 kilometres of the Sunshine Motorway," Mr Lucas said.

“It’s a key plank of the Queensland Government’s commitment to building additional road infrastructure for the Sunshine Coast’s booming population.”

Mr Lucas said the new interchange would link the Sunshine Motorway to Dixon and Claymore Roads, as well as the University of the Sunshine Coast and Chancellor State College.

“Local community input has played a major role in helping Main Roads get the interchange design right," Mr Lucas said.

“The community has spoken - and we’ve listened.

“Main Roads’ revised interchange design is expected to make travel between Buderim and Sippy Downs quicker and easier with less traffic congestion.

“An upgrade of the local road network is also part of a wider overhaul with westbound on and off ramps planned to go into service by the start of next year’s first school term.

“The start of construction signals changes to traffic conditions and speed limits around the knowledge precinct.

“For the student body it means short-term inconvenience for long-term benefit.”

Mr Lucas said the first four kilometre – four lane section of upgraded motorway would open to traffic by the end of the month.

“The stretch between Sippy Downs Drive and Kawana Way will offer commuters their first glimpse of a new era in motoring on the Sunshine Coast.

“We’re on track to deliver by Christmas 2008 a higher capacity four lane Sunshine Motorway from Sippy Downs to Pacific Paradise, including a new bridge over the Maroochy River.

“It’s a $290 million dollar investment in the Sunshine Coast’s future,” Mr Lucas said.

Media Contact: Darren Roberts 0448 184566.