This week the Queensland Government has named the successful firm to deliver a business case for the future upgrade of the Bruce Highway – Maroochydore Road Interchange Upgrade project Stage 1.
WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff will undertake the business case and will also deliver a strategic needs assessment for the upgrade between the Sunshine Motorway and Maroochydore Road.
The Australian and Queensland governments have committed $7.46 million towards this initial scoping phase of the project.
“This appointment brings renewed momentum to this important project, which is now only about one year away from having a detailed business case delivered, including a prioritised scope of future works and estimated costs,” said Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester in a statement.
“The scoping phase will investigate ways to alleviate potentially major problems at the Maroochydore Road Interchange by investigating solutions that will address the traffic congestion and safety issues along the stretch of the Bruce Highway where it intersects with Maroochydore Road on the Sunshine Coast.
Acting Queensland Minister for Roads and Road Safety Jackie Trad said the future interchange upgrades were significant projects and an investment in vital transport infrastructure to underpin economic development in the rapidly growing Sunshine Coast region.
“The benefits of the planning work can’t be underestimated with a new, four-lane eastbound bridge over the Bruce Highway and signals on each junction to the Maroochydore Road/Nambour Connection Road roundabout already on the table,” Ms. Trad said in the statement.
“New north-south service roads situated east and west of the Bruce Highway are also earmarked to link Mons Road and Maroochydore Road, enabling the diversion of local traffic from the highway and providing a safer option for residents and commuters alike.
“The next steps are to investigate the preferred infrastructure option in more detail, develop the business case and prepare a report on the potential need for future upgrades on the Bruce Highway between the Sunshine Motorway and the Maroochydore Road interchange.”
Once the business case and report on the future upgrade needs is complete, the projects will be assessed by Infrastructure Australia as part of the approval process to receive further Australian Government funding.