$301m Bruce Upgrade

Ted O’Brien, right, joined Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey to turn the sod on the Sunshine Coast’s next major infrastructure upgrade at Forest Glen.

The Sunshine Coast’s next major infrastructure upgrade will revamp the Maroochydore Road and Mons Road interchanges to tackle safety and major congestion issues in the area while supporting hundreds of jobs.

The work, to be completed by 2022, means motorists will be able to travel between the Maroochydore Road and Mons Road interchanges at Forest Glen without having to use the Bruce Highway, separating local and regional traffic to improve safety and traffic flow both on the highway and on local roads.

The project is part of the $12.6 billion, 15-year Bruce Highway Upgrade Program — a pipeline of investment from the Australian and Queensland Governments.

The Australian Government has committed $241 million to upgrade the Maroochydore Road and Mons Road interchanges.

Coupled with current upgrade works between Caloundra Road and the Sunshine Motorway, the delivery of these vital projects is supporting more than 1,060 jobs.

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said securing hundreds more jobs on the Coast was crucial to Queensland’s plan for economic recovery, while also meeting the transport needs of the region well into the future.

Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien said the project would come as a relief to frustrated motorists.

“The works will bust congestion at the interchanges and eliminate queuing onto the Bruce Highway,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Motorists will also be able to travel between the Maroochydore Road and Mons Road interchanges at Forest Glen without having to use the Bruce Highway, separating local and regional traffic to improve safety and traffic flow both on the highway and on local roads.”

The upgrades are expected to open by 2022.