Funding of $7.5 million has been locked in to develop a business case for the Bruce Highway Maroochydore Road Interchange Upgrade.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the funding would allow for crucial planning work on the project.
“The Australian Government has committed up to $149.6 million towards the delivery of the Maroochydore Road Interchange Upgrade, which will help to meet future traffic needs in this rapidly-growing area of south-east Queensland,” Mr Chester said.
“The first step in the project will be developing the strongest possible business case.
“Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien has fought for this project because he understands the importance of building infrastructure to meet the needs of the region’s growing population and unlock its economic potential.
“More than 20,000 vehicles use the Maroochydore Road bridge each day, a figure which will only continue to grow. By substantially increasing the capacity of the Maroochydore and Mons roads interchanges, local residents, commuters and visitors will find it much easier to access the Bruce Highway.”
Queensland Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports Mark Bailey said the business case consultants will consider a preferred option developed by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.
“A key feature of this option is a new four-lane eastbound bridge over the highway at the Maroochydore Road interchange, which intersects with the Nambour Connection Road at a roundabout,” Mr Bailey said.
“It also includes traffic signals on each junction of the Maroochydore/Nambour Connection Road roundabout, to improve traffic capacity and eliminate the risk of motorists misjudging gaps in traffic. New service roads east and west of the Bruce Highway would also link the Mons and Maroochydore Road interchanges and remove local traffic from the highway, further improving safety.”
Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien said a consultant will be appointed to start work on the business case early next year.
“The timing of construction work on the upgrades will be determined once the business case is finalised in 2018. The business case will also allow for the development of a strategic planning report to outline future improvements to the Bruce Highway between the Sunshine Motorway and Maroochydore Road interchanges,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The final report will complement the Pine River to Caloundra Road planning study that is already underway, and will build on the $929.3 million Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway upgrade which is expected to start being built this year.”
The Bruce Highway – Maroochydore Road Interchange Upgrade – Stage 1 project is jointly funded with the Australian Government contributing up to $149.6 million and the Queensland Government up to $37.4 million