A new $40 million motorway interchange has been committed by the LNP, within weeks of the state election.
Sunshine Motorway on and off-ramps could be built to connect to West Coolum Road, which could be linked to Sunshine Coast Council’s proposed extension of South Coolum Road.
The announcement came after the Labor state government revealed in July that it had delayed a business case phase for its big plans for a long section of the motorway.
The LNP Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson said the Opposition’s project would deliver overdue infrastructure that would help ease congestion and improve safety on the local road network.
“The LNP will deliver a critical interchange upgrade to improve traffic safety and access,” she said.
“The project will help divert through traffic off David Low Way and back onto the Sunshine Motorway, as well as relieving pressure on dangerous local roads such as Toolga Street and Tanah Street West.
“Our local road network is at choke point and only an LNP government will deliver the upgrades we need to keep traffic flowing.”
LNP Member for Ninderry Dan Purdie said the project was the next step in a plan to counter traffic jams at Coolum, after works to upgrade the roundabout at School Road with a signalled intersection.
“Locals have told me busting congestion and improving safety is their top priority,” he said.
More than 30,600 vehicles use the section of motorway every day and traffic volumes are expected to increase with growth on the Sunshine Coast.
The state government last year stated that it planned to upgrade an 11km stretch of the motorway, from Pacific Paradise to Coolum Beach, including the possible additions of ramps to link to West Coolum Road, and $3 million was committed to a business case phase.
Features could also include increased motorway capacity from two to four lanes, improvements to active transport infrastructure, a new interchange at Yandina-Coolum Road, the inclusion of Smart Motorway technologies, improved flood immunity, and provisions for fauna fencing.
A TMR spokesperson had told Sunshine Coast News that an upgrade would “improve safety, connectivity, capacity and efficiency”.
But a spokesperson in July told SCN that planning was not likely to start in earnest until late-2026, two years later than anticipated.
“Funding for the business case has been deferred in the new Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program,” the spokesperson said.
“This is to allow higher-priority projects to progress.”
A spokesperson on Wednesday told SCN the upgrade was still being considered and the initial financial outlay for planning was still on the table.
“TMR is currently finalising the preliminary evaluation to duplicate the Sunshine Motorway from Pacific Paradise to Coolum and has committed $3 million to progress the business case phase of this project,” they said.
“TMR is considering a range of infrastructure improvements as part of its strategic planning for road infrastructure, designed to keep pace with the region’s growth and ensure the safe and efficient movement of people and goods.”
SCN also asked the LNP whether it would commit to other upgrades along the motorway, including the duplication of lanes and a new interchange at Yandina-Coolum Road, and was waiting for a response.
