After four years of roadworks, and interruptions from torrential rain and COVID, the Sunshine Coast’s biggest infrastructure project in history is finally open to motorists.
The $932 million upgrade to widen the Bruce Highway to six lanes between Caloundra Road and the Sunshine Motorway was officially declared complete on Tuesday.
The massive project included fixing both interchanges and adding a new two-way service road for local traffic between Steve Irwin Way and Tanawha Tourist Drive.
Other key features include:
- Australia’s first Diverging Diamond Interchange at Caloundra Road.
- New free-flowing, grade-separated ramps replacing the existing intersection on the old Bruce Highway northbound exit ramp to the Sunshine Motorway near Wilson Road.
- An upgrade from two to three lanes of the Bruce Highway in each direction between the two interchanges at a posted speed of 110km/h.
- New two-way Frizzo Connection Road between Steve Irwin Way and Tanawha Tourist Drive, separating long distance traffic from local traffic.
- More than 9km of new active transport infrastructure for people walking and riding bikes.
- A new car-pool facility catering for up to 240 vehicles between the Bruce Highway and Pignata Road at Palmview, as well as nine new bus stop facilities.
- Intelligent Transport Systems such as web/CCTV cameras, vehicle detection technology, variable speed limit signs and variable message signs.
- Environmental measures such as 49 fauna escape poles, a fauna rope ladder and 162 metres of fauna logs.
- Planting of more than 245,000 plants, trees and shrubs.
- Improved flood immunity to the Bruce Highway.
The $932 million project was jointly funded on an 80:20 split, with the Australian Government contributing $745.6 million and the Queensland Government providing $186.4 million.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the upgrade would serve the Sunshine Coast for many years to come.
“As one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, this project has come at a crucial time,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“From the turning of the first sod back in May 2017, this project has blazed a trail for the renewal of regional road infrastructure.
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Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Bruce Highway provided a vital link for our communities and was the lifeblood for travel across the state.
“This project is the first of several current major upgrades to the highway across the region,” Mr Bailey said.
“During four years of construction, about 90 major switches of live traffic, more than seven metres of rainfall, and the additional difficulties brought on by COVID-19, the project team has risen above the challenges.
“The project has provided a massive employment boost to the region with nearly four million hours worked and more than 7000 people inducted to the site during construction.”
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said that the Sunshine Coast was now seeing Commonwealth investment in infrastructure like never before.
“With enhanced safety and smoother traffic flows this upgraded section of the Bruce is going to improve the Sunshine Coast experience for visitors, allow local businesses to move their staff and goods around the region faster and easier, and help Sunshine Coast locals spend more time at home with their families,” said Mr Wallace.
“This project is a major boost for our community, and with more Commonwealth-supported upgrades already underway on the Highway between the Coast and Brisbane, it is only the beginning for our region.”
