A $7.1 million injection is set to fast-track planning for a town bypass.
The state government on Monday announced the additional funding for the Tewantin Bypass.
The cash will go towards planning work that is expected to unlock a long-term solution to improve safety and traffic flow within the Beckmans Road corridor, a 3.5km stretch between Cooroy-Noosa Road and Eumundi-Noosa Road.
The funding, on top of $1.4 million announced in the state budget, will enable in-depth investigations to be completed, confirm project benefits and economic viability, and consider staged delivery options.
The state government in 2022 completed upgrades, including the installation of a roundabout, at the intersection of Cooroy-Noosa Road and Beckmans Road.
But Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish said more would be done.
“Now, we’re getting on with planning future stages,” he said.
“This funding will now fast-track the completion of the business case, to consider critical upgrades that boost capacity, address growing traffic demands and future proof the road network.”
Member for Noosa Sandy Bolton in August urged the government to get moving on detailed design.
She said on Monday that the funding was “fantastic news”.
“With stage one at the intersection of Beckmans Road and Cooroy-Noosa Road already complete, this fast-track will mean once the detailed designs and business case are completed, we can get to construction funding stage,” she said.
“This is vital as I have raised previously, given not only existing congestion, but as well the projected population increases to the south and the visitations due to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”