Key roads to close for almost 2000 athletes to compete in long-distance event

Major roads on the Sunshine Coast, including sections of motorway, will be closed for a mass participation sports event.

About a dozen roads will be impacted on Sunday by IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast: a long-distance triathlon that includes a 1.9km swim, 90km ride and 21.1km run.

Key thoroughfares such as Mooloolaba Esplanade, Parkyn Parade, River Esplanade, Brisbane Road, Walan Street, First Avenue, Alexandra Parade and Buderim Avenue will be affected, while delays can be expected on David Low Way and other routes.

But it’s the closure of long stretches of the Sunshine Motorway that could be most disruptive to motorists.

It will be closed northbound from North Shore Connection Road at Pacific Paradise to the Yandina-Coolum Road roundabout and southbound from the roundabout to Buderim Avenue at Mooloolaba, from 5am to midday.

“Roads will be closed inside and around the course to ensure the safety of spectators, athletes and residents, and to facilitate the smooth running of the event,” organisers stated. “There are also some roads with changed traffic conditions in place.”

There will be access to the PARKnGO Mooloolaba Central via an open section of Walan Street. There will be free parking at Mountain Creek State High and extra parks along Lady Musgrave Drive, with a free shuttle bus to Mooloolaba. There will also be free parking at The Wharf.

Sunshine Coast Council’s ThinkChange team will also operate a BikePark service, providing free and secure bike and scooter parking, at Charles Clarke Park. The council is encouraging event participants, workers, volunteers, supporters, locals and visitors to use active travel options.

Queensland Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell hailed the event, which is worth an estimated $7.5 million to the region.

He said it “inspires and attracts top tier athletes from around Australia and the world” and “boosts the local economy by encouraging visitors and fans to extend their length of stay”.

Road closures 

• Mooloolaba Esplanade, Brisbane Road to Venning Street, Saturday 7am to 8.45am
• Parkyn Pde, River Esp to Pier 33 (access to the Spit and public boat ramp remains via Wharf car park; no access to the caravan park), partial road closure, Sunday 4.30am to 3pm
• River Esplanade, Hancock Street to Mooloolaba Esplanade, Sunday 4.30am to 1.30pm
• Hancock Street, River Esplanade to Brisbane Road, Sunday 4am to 1.30pm
• Brisbane Road, Walan Street to Mooloolaba Esplanade, Sunday 4am to 1.30pm
• Walan Street (southbound), Brisbane Road to Venning Street (access to ParknGo Mooloolaba Central is via Naroo Court. Motorists can expect delays in this area until about 8.30am) Sunday, 4.30am to 1.30pm
• First Avenue, First Lane, Muraban Street, between Walan Street and First Lane, Sunday 4.30am to 1.30pm
• Mooloolaba Esplanade, River Esplanade to Venning Street, Sunday 4.30am to 6pm
• Mooloolaba Esplanade (Venning Street), Venning Street to Buderim Avenue, Sunday 4.30am to 3.45pm
• Alexandra Parade, Buderim Avenue to Sixth Avenue, Sunday 4.30am to 3.15pm
• Maroochy/Cotton Tree, Sixth Avenue to Cotton Tree Parade, Sunday 6am to 3.15pm
• Buderim Avenue, Mooloolaba Esplanade to Sunshine Motorway, Sunday 4.30am to 12.15pm
• Sunshine Motorway, Buderim Avenue to Coolum roundabout (northbound closure from Northshore Connection Road, Pacific Paradise to the Yandina-Coolum roundabout, southbound closure from Yandina-Coolum roundabout to Buderim Ave Mooloolaba), Sunday 5am to 12pm

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