Another $29 million allocated to extend Sunshine Motorway upgrade

The Queensland Government has allocated another $29 million to continue the duplication of the Sunshine Motorway north of the Maroochy River.

Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the project would involve the four-laning of a three-kilometre section of the motorway from the existing David Low Way interchange to a new Pacific Paradise interchange and bypass road.

Mr Pitt, who visited the Sunshine Coast today to inspect progress on the Maroochy Bridge duplication, said work would start soon on the next phase of the Sunshine Motorway duplication.

He said the new project would cater for growing traffic volumes on the Sunshine Motorway and improve safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

"More than 17,000 vehicles a day use this section of the motorway, which can mean bumper-to-bumper congestion during peak hours,'' Mr Pitt said.

"This project will help reduce delays at these peak times while improving safety for all motorists using this busy motorway.''

Mr Pitt said the $29 million project would be constructed by Basic Construction Services, with completion due by the end of 2008.

"We are getting closer to the end of the Sunshine Motorway Upgrade Project, with the whole upgrade due to finish by the end of next year,'' he said.

The Pacific Paradise component of the upgrade was a commitment made by the State Labor Government during the 2004 election.

Mr Pitt said the new works on the Sunshine Motorway complemented several other projects to improve traffic flows on the Sunshine Coast.

Other related projects include:

• David Low Way and Pacific Paradise interchange bridges: Duplication of motorway bridges over the existing David Low Way interchange and construction of two bridges at the new Pacific Paradise interchange and bypass road. Completion due late 2008. Total cost: $11.5 million;

• Pacific Paradise Bypass Road and airport access: Construction of new signalised intersection at David Low Way and the Pacific Paradise Bypass Road, including construction of a new entry road for the Sunshine Coast Airport. Completion due late 2008. Total cost: $7 million;

• Sippy Downs Drive to Kawana Way interchange: Duplication of 5km of the motorway and construction of a new interchange connecting the motorway to Dixon and Claymore roads. Duplication works completed in July 2007 with completion of the interchange scheduled for completion in June 2008. Total cost: $66 million;

• Maroochy Boulevard interchange: Construction of the new Sunshine Motorway interchange connecting to Maroochy Boulevard. Maroochy Shire Council delivered the project on behalf of Main Roads. Works completed and the official opening ceremony was held in early August. Total cost: $36 million.

"All these significant projects are well on track to make the anticipated completion date of December 2008 for the whole Sunshine Motorway Upgrade Project,'' Mr Pitt said.

"We are on track to deliver these major infrastructure upgrades for the people of the Sunshine Coast, one of the fastest-growing tourism areas in the state.''

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819