Essential bridge works will affect thousands of regular commuters for six months.
The Doonella Bridge upgrade will include the closure of the westbound lane from July 6 to early December.
Noosa Council Infrastructure services director Shaun Walsh said the change was necessary for contractors to conduct works and extend the life of the 68-year-old structure by another 50 years.
“This means you can cross Doonella Bridge by car to get from Tewantin into Noosaville, but to drive back into Tewantin from Noosaville, you’ll need to detour via Goodchap Street, Eumundi Noosa Road and Beckmans Road,” he said.
That’s an almost 9km detour to get to the centre of Tewantin, which Google Maps estimates could take regular commuters an estimated 12 to 22 minutes, instead of 2 minutes, from Hilton Terrace in peak hour.
Mr Walsh said traffic modelling showed a one-way flow of traffic eastbound over the bridge with a westbound detour would create far less congestion and delays than having east and westbound traffic share one lane of the bridge in a stop-go arrangement.
“A stop-go arrangement across the bridge would likely create traffic backlogs of up to 3km long on either side of the bridge,” he said.
“There will still be delays and congestion with the westbound detour approach – that’s unavoidable when upgrading a major link that carries 20,000 vehicles a day – but this option will minimise the impacts as much as we can.
“Unfortunately, these works are unavoidable and need to be completed.”
The 50m bridge is a key connector between Noosaville and Tewantin.
Mr Walsh encouraged anyone who was able to ride a bike or take a bus to do so for the duration of the bridge works.
“As with emergency vehicles, public buses and school buses will still be able to travel westbound across the bridge, with special traffic lights in place to allow them quickly across, so public transport is a great alternative to taking the car,” he said.
“Pedestrians and cyclists will also continue to have safe access via the shared bridge pathway.
“We appreciate our community’s patience while these essential works are completed to ensure this bridge continues to serve our shire for at least another 50 years.
“Traffic impacts are unavoidable, so we ask motorists to allow extra travel time, have patience and please consider carpooling, walking and cycling wherever possible, or take a bus.”
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The bridge upgrade includes structural strengthening, new safety barriers, repairing underwater bridge piles and improving the Hilton Terrace approach.
“There will be some aspects of the work carried out at night as much as possible to help minimise impacts on traffic during daytime hours, as well as reduce the period of work,” he said.
Marine access beneath the bridge will be closed during the entire project.
The bridge upgrade is jointly funded by the federal government’s Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, in partnership with Noosa Council.
