A TOTAL of $5 million has been allocated by the federal government towards planning for improved road safety and reduced congestion at two hotspots on the Sunshine Coast.
Both projects have been identified as a high priority for the region, with the business cases forming part of the Sunshine Coast Roads Improvement Study, which aims to develop both short-term and long-term solutions for congested roads.
Planning of the upgrades will also address the rapid urban growth in emerging communities south and west of Caloundra including Caloundra South (Aura) and Palmview (Harmony).
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said these works were vital for the region.
“From this [funding] package, $2.6 million will deliver a critical business case into the Kawana Motorway (Mooloolah River Interchange to Kawana Way link road) project,” Mr Wallace said.
“A further $2 million will underpin a business case into the notorious Caloundra Road, Kawana Way link road and Bells Creek arterial road intersection.
“Both of these projects have been identified as priorities for the region, having the potential to significantly increase safety, reduce congestion and delays, reduce reliance on the Bruce Highway for local trips, bolster network resilience and improve active and public transport facilities.”
Mr Wallace said the project would also deliver a network assessment to identify future upgrade needs in the southern Sunshine Coast area.
“The Sunshine Coast population is widely spread, making our local road networks even more critical for communities to remain safely and efficiently connected to job opportunities, to each other and to essential services such as health and education,” Mr Wallace said.
“By completing a broader road network assessment, we will be able to identify priority upgrade needs that aren’t already being addressed by the significant Australian Government investment all over the Sunshine Coast.
“This includes upgrades to the Bruce Highway from Caloundra Road to the Sunshine Motorway, the Mooloolah River Interchange and the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail.”
Community feedback will be encouraged during the business case phase of planning, which is expected to be completed in 2023.
To read more about the projects, go to https://cutt.ly/tQO5h6f (Bells Creek arterial road) or https://cutt.ly/0QO5xZy (Kawana Motorway).