The Sunshine Coast’s biggest ever infrastructure project is now complete, with $932 million spent to upgrade the Bruce Highway to six lanes between Caloundra Road and the Sunshine Motorway.
The project also includes major upgrades to both interchanges and a new two-way service road for local traffic between Steve Irwin Way and Tanawha Tourist Drive.
“As one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, this project has come at a crucial time,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce.
Works for the project began back in May 2017, so the upgrades have been a long time coming.
Joyce added, “The Australian Government’s $745.6 million investment to deliver a better, safer and more efficient major roadway for Sunshine Coast residents will support the growth of this region well into the future.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the project created 680 jobs and expanded this stretch of the Bruce Highway from four-lanes to six.
“Infrastructure projects like this one which have supported jobs and powered on through the global pandemic have been a critical part of Queensland’s Economic Recovery Plan,” Palaszczuk said.
“The Sunshine Coast was already a growing community pre-Covid which is why this upgrade was vital but because of our strong health response, it’s become even more popular.”
Palaszczuk added that the Queensland Government’s $27.5 billion roads and transport plan over the next four years will create 24,000 jobs and further help the state’s economic recovery.
“A big part of this investment is on the Sunshine Coast with a pipeline of $3.9 billion worth of road and transport projects being delivered over the next four years,” said Palaszczuk.
“From Caloundra Road to the Sunshine Motorway, the Bruce is now three lanes each way at 110km/h, cutting travel times.”
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey added, “Further north, the $301 million Bruce Highway Upgrade between the Maroochydore Road and Mons Road Interchanges is keeping 380 Queenslanders in jobs.
“And it’s just reached an important milestone with drivers now using a newly built bridge over Eudlo Creek at Forest Glen.
“Down the road, the $662.5 million Bruce Highway, Caboolture-Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way upgrade is well underway, supporting an estimated 660 direct jobs over the life of the project.
“Back towards Brisbane, the Deception Bay Road Interchange – a $163.3 million Bruce Highway Upgrade, supporting 270 direct jobs, is progressing well.”
This project is part of the $13 billion, 15-year Bruce Highway Upgrade Program that aims to improve safety, flood resilience and capacity along the Bruce Highway from Brisbane to Cairns.