Work to improve safety and efficiency along the Bruce Highway on the Sunshine Coast, the region’s
largest ever infrastructure project, is now complete.
The $932 million project has seen the Bruce Highway upgraded to six lanes between Caloundra Road
and the Sunshine Motorway including major upgrades to both interchanges and a new 2-way service
road for local traffic between Steve Irwin Way and Tanawha Tourist Drive.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby
Joyce said the upgrade would serve the Sunshine Coast for many years to come.
“As one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, this project has come at a crucial time,” the Deputy
Prime Minister said.
“From the turning of the first sod back in May 2017, this project has blazed a trail for the renewal of
regional road infrastructure.
“The Australian Government’s $745.6 million investment to deliver a better, safer and more efficient
major roadway for Sunshine Coast residents will support the growth of this region well into the future.”
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Bruce Highway provided a vital link
for our communities and was the lifeblood for travel across the state.
“This project is the first of several current major upgrades to the highway across the region,” Mr Bailey
said.
“During four years of construction, about 90 major switches of live traffic, more than seven metres of
rainfall, and the additional difficulties brought on by COVID-19, the project team has risen above the
challenges.
“The project has provided a massive employment boost to the region with nearly four million hours
worked and more than 7000 people inducted to the site during construction.
“Queensland has achieved exceptional things throughout COVID-19, recovering more than 200,000 jobs
and seeing more people choosing to call Queensland home than any other state in Australia.
“It’s vital we keep up this momentum and keep delivering infrastructure projects like this one.”
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said that the Sunshine Coast is now seeing Commonwealth
investment in infrastructure like never before.
“Since before my election in 2016 I have been campaigning for the road and rail infrastructure that the
Sunshine Coast needs and I am proud that the Federal Government has made our region a priority,” Mr
Wallace said.
“Today, we can see the first results of that commitment in this ground-breaking project.
“With enhanced safety and smoother traffic flows this upgraded section of the Bruce is going to improve
the Sunshine Coast experience for visitors, allow local businesses to move their staff and goods around
the region faster and easier, and help Sunshine Coast locals spend more time at home with their
families.
“This project is a major boost for our community, and with more Commonwealth-supported upgrades
already underway on the Highway between the Coast and Brisbane, it is only the beginning for our
region.”
Key features of the project include:
• Australia’s first Diverging Diamond Interchange at Caloundra Road.
• New free-flowing, grade-separated ramps replacing the existing intersection on the old Bruce
Highway northbound exit ramp to the Sunshine Motorway near Wilson Road.
• Improved flood immunity to the Bruce Highway.
• An upgrade from two to three lanes of the Bruce Highway in each direction between the two
interchanges at a posted speed of 110km/h.
• New two-way Frizzo Connection Road between Steve Irwin Way and Tanawha Tourist Drive,
separating long distance traffic from local traffic, allowing the highway to function as a highspeed, high-volume corridor, improving safety and network efficiency.
• More than nine kilometres of new active transport infrastructure for people walking and riding
bikes.
• A new car-pool facility catering for up to 240 vehicles between the Bruce Highway and Pignata
Road at Palmview, as well as nine new bus stop facilities.
• Intelligent Transport Systems such as web/CCTV cameras, vehicle detection technology, variable
speed limit signs and variable message signs.
• Environmental measures such as 49 fauna escape poles, a fauna rope ladder and 162 metres of
fauna logs.
• Planting of more than 245,000 plants, trees and shrubs.
The $932 million project was jointly funded on an 80:20 basis with the Australian Government
contributing $745.6 million and the Queensland Government providing $186.4 million.
This project is part of the 15-year, Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, a $13 billion program of works to
improve safety, flood resilience and capacity along the Bruce Highway from Brisbane to Cairns.
For more information about project, visit https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/B/BruceHighway-Caloundra-Road-to-Sunshine-Motorway-upgrade/Subscribe-for-project-updates.
For up-to-date information on road works and conditions across the state, visit
www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au, call 13 19 40 or download the QldTraffic app.
