The Queensland Government is seeking proposals for the early works on the Mooloolah River Interchange upgrade project.
The Sunshine Motorway, Mooloolah River Interchange upgrade is planned to deliver a safe, efficient and effective transport network to meet the current and future transport needs of the Sunshine Coast.
In December 2021, GHD SMEC Joint Venture was awarded a contract to undertake design work for the Mooloolah River Interchange upgrade.
This project will improve north–south travel between key residential, employment, health and education facilities to support population, economic and tourism growth in one of Australia’s fastest growing regions.
In addition to improved transport capacity, reliability and safety, the Mooloolah River Interchange will also improve access and active transport connectivity for local communities in the Birtinya, Mountain Creek and Mooloolaba areas.
The $320 million Stage 1 of the project is funded and will be constructed first.
The Queensland Government has committed $160 million to deliver Stage 1 of this project as part of the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program, with the Australian Government additionally having committed $160 million to deliver Stage 1 of this project.
Funding is required to progress future stages to construction. Design work is progressing and expected to be completed in 2023. Construction timeframes and start date for Stage 1 have been determined and early work tenders are being offered.
With the project estimated to complete between 2023 and 2025, there is need and demand for the reliable and consistent supply of construction materials and workers to facilitate the build.
The first stage of this project will include a new road overpass to provide a more direct and efficient connection from Nicklin Way to Brisbane Road at Mooloolah and a new local road connection between Karawatha Drive at Mountain Creek and Brisbane Road at Mooloolaba.
These local road connections will separate local traffic from high-speed motorway traffic and reduce traffic weaving.
Future stages included in the planning layout will deliver:
- a new crossing of the Mooloolah River, connecting the Sunshine Motorway to Kawana Way
- the Mooloolah River Interchange, with connections to:
- the Sunshine Motorway to the west and north
- Nicklin Way to the south-east
- Kawana Way to the south
- an upgrade of the Sunshine Motorway from 2 to 4 lanes between the existing Kawana Way Interchange and the Mooloolah River Interchange
- a direct, safe and efficient connection for the Sunshine Motorway, north to west
- an additional northbound lane on the Sunshine Motorway between the Mooloolah River Interchange and the Buderim/Mooloolaba interchange.
For more information on the project, visit the Department of Transport and Roads website.