Construction begins on $301m Bruce Highway Upgrade at Forest Glen QLD

The first sod has been turned and construction is now underway on the Sunshine Coast’s $301.25 million Bruce Highway Upgrade on the Maroochydore Road and Mons Road interchanges.

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

“As part of our commitment to improving the safety, reliability and performance of our national highways, 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,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said.

Not only will this Bruce Highway upgrade support 380 jobs, it will also improve safety and bust congestion on this section of the highway.

According to Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey, the hundreds of jobs supported by this project is vital to the State’s economic recovery.

“The global economy has been hit hard by COVID-19, but Queensland’s strong health response to date means our state can kick-start the economy quickly and get on with the job of rolling out a $23 billion pipeline of road and transport upgrades,” the Minister said.

The upgrade will include:

• Building a new 4-lane eastbound bridge over the Bruce Highway from Nambour Connection Road to Maroochydore Road
• Converting the existing free-flowing Maroochydore Road and Nambour Connection Road roundabout to a fully controlled, signalised interchange
• Extending and widening all on and off-ramps at the Maroochydore Road interchange
• Connecting the Maroochydore Road and Mons Road interchanges via two new service roads on the eastern and western sides of the Bruce Highway
• Removing the north-facing ramps at the Mons Road interchange
• Upgrading the Mons Road southbound on-ramp
• Relocating the Mons Road northbound off-ramp to a new roundabout at the intersection of Chevallum Road and Rainforest Road
• Widening Mons Road under the Bruce Highway
• Delivering new active transport facilities for bike riders and pedestrians through the Maroochydore Road interchange connecting to the eastern service road

“The works will bust congestion at the interchanges and eliminate queuing onto the Bruce Highway.

“They will provide more reliable and reduced travelling times for freight transport and meet community demand for pedestrian and bike riding access and infrastructure.

“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,” Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien said.

Weather permitting, works on this project is due to be completed by late 2022.

The Bruce Highway Upgrade on the Maroochydore Road and Mons Road interchanges is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, each contributing $241 million and $60.25 million respectively.

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Source: Queensland Government; Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads