Barriers open on Racecourse Road interchange at Caloundra

Progress on the $80 million project to upgrade Caloundra Road from the Bruce Highway to Pierce Avenue is racing towards completion.

Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the barriers at the Caloundra/Racecourse Road interchange were recently removed, allowing motorists access to Corbould Park Racecourse.

“Road users will also have direct access to local roads and the Caloundra Regional Business and Industry Park to the south,” Mr Pitt said.

“To the north, the Caloundra/Racecourse Road interchange will provide motorists with safer access to Caloundra Road. It will also provide access to sand and gravel supplies, which will be vital materials for continued development within south-east Queensland.”

Mr Pitt said the interchange, which consists of a new road and bridge structure, was another piece of new Queensland Government-funded infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast that would further improve safety and ease congestion for motorists.

“The Caloundra Road upgrade project has experienced significant rainfall since construction started in October 2006, but the project team has worked hard to have the Racecourse Road interchange open to motorists.”

Mr Pitt said the project exemplified a co-operative approach from State Government departments to deliver much-needed infrastructure for Queensland, with the Department of State Development and Innovation contributing $3.53 million to the project.

“The interchange was built to cater for future traffic volumes generated by the Caloundra Regional Business and Industry Park, as well as for increasing through and local traffic,” Mr Pitt said.

"Main Roads and the project contractor Fulton Hogan have also appreciated the support of the Sunshine Coast Turf Club and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council throughout the project.

“We would also like to thank the community for its ongoing patience and ask all road users to continue to drive according to posted signage while changed traffic conditions are in place,” Mr Pitt said.

Work on the entire Caloundra Road upgrade project is expected to be completed by April 2009, weather permitting.