Published Tuesday, 14 October, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
New infrastructure for the Sunshine Coast by Christmas
The Sunshine Motorway upgrade between Maroochydore Road and David Low Way remains on schedule, with all work expected to be completed before Christmas.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt was on site today to inspect the rapidly progressing project as part of a two-day visit to the Sunshine Coast and Gympie.
The upgrade is now 95 per cent complete and a major milestone was reached last week when traffic signals went live at the redesigned Maroochydore Road interchange.
"Despite plenty of rain this year, Main Roads has worked hard to progress the project and I'm delighted to announce that it will be complete by Christmas – perhaps even earlier with favourable weather conditions," Mr Pitt said.
"I was here late last year to open the second crossing over the Maroochy River and it's fantastic to see the way the upgrade is coming together.
"The new interchange has improved safety by providing additional capacity and co-ordinating traffic flow.
"Pedestrians and cyclists have also benefited from the interchange redesign with off-road paths and signalised pedestrian crossings now available to help them safely cross the motorway and Maroochydore Road.
"The new off-road paths link with existing paths to Buderim, Kuluin and Maroochydore."
Mr Pitt said Main Roads would continue to monitor traffic patterns at the interchange and fine-tune signal synchronisation to provide for the best possible flow.
"As I understand it, the interchange has already been functioning well but continued monitoring will enable the department to maximise efficiency," Mr Pitt said.
"Staff in the Sunshine Coast Traffic Management Centre will study the demands being placed on different sections of the interchange at various parts of the day and the signals will be adjusted accordingly.”
Mr Pitt said the $85 million Sunshine Motorway upgrade between David Low Way and Pacific Paradise was also progressing well.
The project involves duplicating a section of the motorway over David Low Way and constructing a new northern bypass at Pacific Paradise linking the motorway to the Sunshine Coast Airport.
"Pavement work is well underway on this important project to divert traffic away from the centre of Pacific Paradise, alleviating congestion and improving safety for the local community," Mr Pitt said.
"Main Roads is also working with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council to improve access to the Sunshine Coast Airport."
"Main Roads is constructing a new four-way signalised intersection linking the Pacific Paradise Bypass and David Low Way with council's new Airport Access Road."
Work on this section of the motorway is expected to be finished in early 2009.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt was on site today to inspect the rapidly progressing project as part of a two-day visit to the Sunshine Coast and Gympie.
The upgrade is now 95 per cent complete and a major milestone was reached last week when traffic signals went live at the redesigned Maroochydore Road interchange.
"Despite plenty of rain this year, Main Roads has worked hard to progress the project and I'm delighted to announce that it will be complete by Christmas – perhaps even earlier with favourable weather conditions," Mr Pitt said.
"I was here late last year to open the second crossing over the Maroochy River and it's fantastic to see the way the upgrade is coming together.
"The new interchange has improved safety by providing additional capacity and co-ordinating traffic flow.
"Pedestrians and cyclists have also benefited from the interchange redesign with off-road paths and signalised pedestrian crossings now available to help them safely cross the motorway and Maroochydore Road.
"The new off-road paths link with existing paths to Buderim, Kuluin and Maroochydore."
Mr Pitt said Main Roads would continue to monitor traffic patterns at the interchange and fine-tune signal synchronisation to provide for the best possible flow.
"As I understand it, the interchange has already been functioning well but continued monitoring will enable the department to maximise efficiency," Mr Pitt said.
"Staff in the Sunshine Coast Traffic Management Centre will study the demands being placed on different sections of the interchange at various parts of the day and the signals will be adjusted accordingly.”
Mr Pitt said the $85 million Sunshine Motorway upgrade between David Low Way and Pacific Paradise was also progressing well.
The project involves duplicating a section of the motorway over David Low Way and constructing a new northern bypass at Pacific Paradise linking the motorway to the Sunshine Coast Airport.
"Pavement work is well underway on this important project to divert traffic away from the centre of Pacific Paradise, alleviating congestion and improving safety for the local community," Mr Pitt said.
"Main Roads is also working with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council to improve access to the Sunshine Coast Airport."
"Main Roads is constructing a new four-way signalised intersection linking the Pacific Paradise Bypass and David Low Way with council's new Airport Access Road."
Work on this section of the motorway is expected to be finished in early 2009.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819