Preliminary planning has started to explore ways to improve a busy intersection on the southern Sunshine Coast.
The state government has begun investigations to upgrade the junction of Caloundra Road and Bellvista Boulevard at Little Mountain.
Traffic can be banked up in three directions at the two-lane roundabout, which serves as a main entryway to Caloundra and Australia’s largest master-planned community, Aura.
Almost 35,000 vehicles use Caloundra Road each day and almost 20,000 vehicles use Bellvista Boulevard.
A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said something needed to be done to cater for the region’s growing population.
“The intersection forms a key junction on the link connecting traffic from both the Bruce Highway and the Caloundra South/Aura communities to Caloundra and the coastal corridor,” they said.
“Continued traffic growth along Caloundra Road and Bellvista Boulevard, as well as from surrounding areas, highlights the need for upgrades to meet both current and future transport demands, including active transport needs.”
The state government will assess possible options to improve the flow of traffic at the intersection. It’s not known when work could start or finish, or how much it could cost.
“The scope of the project will be determined by the planning work that is underway,” the spokesperson said.
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The upgrade is expected to improve safety, increase capacity and traffic flow, and reduce travel time and peak-hour congestion.
During construction efforts will be made to minimise disruptions to motorists. Traffic management plans will be developed to ensure traffic continues to move safely, with further details to be shared closer to the start of works.
The intersection is part of the state government’s Caloundra Congestion Busting Plan, which is designed to improve choke points around the region, especially along Caloundra Road. The LNP pledged $400 million towards the plan before the election.
The plan includes a new intersection and extension at Nicklin Way and Third Avenue, a possible road from Aura Boulevard to Pelican Waters Boulevard, a grade-separated interchange at Caloundra Road, Kawana Way Link Road and Bells Creek Arterial Road, and upgrades to the Caloundra Road and Nicklin Way intersection.
Caloundra MP Kendall Morton said congestion was “the single biggest issue for the electorate of Caloundra”.
“The Caloundra Congestion Busting Plan will benefit every single person that lives in Caloundra,” she said.
‘We’re all sick of sitting on Caloundra Road, trying to get kids to school, trying to get to work, and we simply can’t get around: it’s affecting our liveability.”
