The ‘project footprint’ for the Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade has been released, with confirmation it will include four lanes.
The 1.6km corridor aims to reduce congestion and delays at the Caloundra Road, Nicklin Way and Pelican Waters Boulevard intersection by providing a new connection from Nicklin Way, north of the Caloundra Road roundabout, to the city centre.
The four-lane design has been contentious, with the group Value Caloundra launching a #2LanesNot4 campaign in an effort to minimise its impact.
The CTCU is a joint project, with the Department of Transport and Main Roads responsible for the Nicklin Way to Third Avenue extension and Sunshine Coast Council responsible for the remainder of the corridor from Omrah Avenue to Arthur Street. It is funded by all three levels of government.
In confirming the project footprint, TMR said the four-lane corridor width had been reduced to minimise the impact on Ben Bennett Bushland Park and Bicentennial Park, which was achieved through the inclusion of retaining walls on part of the new road.
The footprint also now includes an underpass at West Terrace for pedestrians and cyclists.
Twenty homes and businesses along the route of the CTCU have been gradually resumed for the project, prompting criticism over how the process has been handled.
TMR said community feedback had informed the ultimate design, with a Stakeholder Interest Group (SIG) formed in late 2022 in response to concerns raised during the initial CTCU planning.
“The SIG members have been proud advocates for their community and have provided valuable input to help shape the look of the new intersection and road corridor between Nicklin Way and Arthur Street,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said.
“Knowing more about how locals use the existing spaces, such as Ben Bennett Bushland Park, will help to deliver the best possible outcomes to improve the connectivity of Caloundra’s CBD.
“The project team will continue to mitigate impacts in Ben Bennett Bushland Park as detailed design continues to progress. Where impacts cannot be mitigated, an offset will be provided.
“We will be back out to the community later this year with a final design layout.”
TMR said the design focused on improving safety and accessibility for pedestrian and cyclists with new signalised crossings, pedestrian pathways and a dedicated two-way cycle track alongside a low-speed traffic environment.
Division 2 councillor Terry Landsberg said the project would have flow-on benefits for local roads.
“The RACQ has recently named Caloundra Road the fourth worst congested road in South-East Queensland,” he said.
“This upgrade will help to ease traffic congestion, reduce travel time and improve access to active and public transport in Caloundra now and into the future.
“I thank the SIG for helping refine the section between West Terrace and Omrah Avenue.
“Council, alongside the SIG, understands the importance Bicentennial Park plays within our community and the corridor width has been reduced through the park and new link between Bowman Road and Omrah Avenue.
“The project team has also achieved further reductions to the land required at Caloundra RSL to ensure the RAAF helicopter and the two Bofors guns are not disturbed, as well as significant reductions to the land required in the Memorial Garden.
“With the corridor footprint now finalised, tweaks to the design will continue as well as further SIG meetings.
“The project team will continue to keep our community updated throughout construction.”
Early works on section one – from Omrah Avenue to Arthur Street – including underground service relocations and property demolition, are expected to start later this year.
The final configuration of both intersections for section two – from Nicklin Way to Third Avenue – and active transport pathway locations will be confirmed with a final design and construction details scheduled for release later this year.
Delivery of the fourth leg into Industrial Avenue will be subject to available funding once detailed costing is complete.
“While other transport platforms are still years off, this project is a critical piece of infrastructure for Caloundra and the Sunshine Coast for now and into the future,” SIG member Angus Booker said.
For more information and to register to receive project updates, visit the TMR or council pages.
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