Funding for Mooloolah River interchange flows thanks to budget

The Palaszczuk Government is delivering for Sunshine Coast commuters with $7.4 million allocated in this year’s budget to advance a major road project that will improve safety and reduce travel time.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the funding over two years for the Mooloolah River interchange would support the development of a detailed business case for the project, currently scheduled to be completed by mid 2020.

“We have a preferred planning option for major upgrades near the Mooloolah River which are estimated to cost about $430 million to undertake,” Mr Bailey said.

Mr Bailey said the detailed business case was an important step towards prioritising funding for construction.

“We’ve listened to the Sunshine Coast Council and the community, and heard loud and clear that an additional Mooloolah River crossing is critical for supporting the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital precinct and the Kawana Town Centre,” he said.

“About 60,000 vehicles cross the Mooloolah River each day and this is projected to increase to about 75,000 in 2041.”

Sunshine Coast Council Deputy Mayor Tim Dwyer welcomed today’s announcement for a project that Council has identified and advocated as one of the top priorities requiring an infrastructure commitment from the State Government.

“Our residents and visitors are well aware that the roads in this part of the Sunshine Coast are under immense pressure seven days a week,” Cr Dwyer said.

“Not only does this project have the capacity to provide better connectivity, it will remove a well-known motorway blackspot that sees near-misses on a daily basis.” 

Mr Bailey said: “The detailed business case will investigate a new two-lane northbound connection from Nicklin Way to Brisbane Road and the potential for duplicating a section of the Sunshine Motorway between the Kawana Way interchange and the Mooloolah River interchange.”

When completed, the project is expected to:

• improve safety by reducing crashes and weaving at the Mooloolah River interchange
• increase capacity on the Sunshine Motorway between the Kawana Way interchange and the new Mooloolah River interchange
• provide better connectivity between the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Maroochydore, Kawana and Caloundra via a new Mooloolah River crossing.

“We are continuing with upgrades to improve access to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital for a total cost of $22 million, of which $4.8 million is contained in this year’s budget,” Mr Bailey said.

“Works are also starting on a third package to improve capacity at Nicklin Way between Main Drive and Waterview Street and provide access from Production Avenue to Kawana Way.”

To view the project layout online, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au, click on Projects, and select Mooloolah River interchange – Kawana Arterial and Sunshine Motorway upgrade.

ENDS

Media contact: dominic Geiger, 0447355565