Major upgrades to a section of road with a “significant crash history” are expected to be completed within days.
Work is almost finished along a 2.5km stretch of Eumundi-Noosa Road, between Lenehans Lane at Doonan and the Beckmans Road roundabout at Noosaville.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads stated that the road was the scene of multiple incidents and the $25 million upgrade should make a significant difference.
“Eumundi-Noosa Road has a significant crash history and the works have been designed to improve safety by separating through-traffic, reducing the potential for head-on crashes and improve conditions for all road users.”
There were 18 crashes along the section from 2014 to 2024, including a two-vehicle collision in 2018, when a man died.
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The upgrades include: increasing separation between lanes of opposing traffic by a wide centre lane treatment; road widening and resurfacing; installing audio tactile linemarking to alert drivers if they drift from their lane; the removal of roadside hazards; providing safety improvements for bike riders, including sealed shoulders and left-turn lanes at key intersections; installing targeted roadside safety barriers, including motorcycle protection; and the relocation and modification of existing street lighting to suit the wider road formation.
The section is essentially at one end of the 18km Eumundi-Noosa Road, which TMR has described as “a vital east-west connection”.
“As one of the two primary routes linking the Bruce Highway with Noosa, the safety improvements will benefit a broad mix of road users and vehicle types, including a significant portion of commuter and tourist traffic,” the department stated.
Eumundi-Noosa Road is part of TMR’s Principal Cycle Network and the safety improvements are set to encourage safer, more frequent bike riding along the scenic route.
The project is jointly funded by the federal and state governments.
The original scope of works included safety improvements from Emu Mountain Road to Beckmans Road, over 4km.
But it was reduced to the section of road from Lenehans Lane to Beckmans Road in early 2024.
Sunshine Coast News asked TMR why the change was made but did not receive a direct response.
MP for Noosa Sandy Bolton said some locals believed other roads should have been prioritised.
“Concerns have been shared with our office that this project was not as urgent as other more pressing upgrades needed on other local state roads, which we relayed to Transport and Main Roads,” she said.
But she said the federal funding was specifically to improve roads that have a showcased history of crashes and/or fatal and serious accidents.
The stretch also has increased traffic.
“This section of Eumundi-Noosa Road was previously constructed to a rural road standard with a typical 9m seal and relatively narrow 1m shoulders,” she said.
Ms Bolton said a nearby priority is the Tewantin Bypass.
“The state government has committed $30 million to start construction of the next stage this term and we are waiting on a decision as to where this will be spent,” she said.
Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie said the Eumund-Noosa Road upgrade was important.
“Funding this work and improving the vital transport link is welcomed,” he said.
“We will continue to advocate for further upgrades on state-controlled roads and the latest upgrades certainly contribute to making the commute safer for our residents.”
The project was set to be completed this week, dependent on weather. Some “small finalisation works” are planned for next week.
