Bruce Highway Upgrade – Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway, Smart Nine, Smart 9

Bruce Highway Upgrade – Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway

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Fulton Hogan/Seymour Whyte Joint Venture and The Infrastructure Group have this week been identified as the two shortlisted proponents for the $1.134 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Project from Caloundra Road to the Sunshine Motorway.

Tenderers will submit design and construct proposals in late March 2016 with the award of contract expected by mid-2016. Construction on the Bruce Highway Upgrade Project will begin at the end of 2016.

About the Project

The Bruce Highway Upgrade – Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway will provide vital community infrastructure and is designed to meet the strategic transport needs of the Sunshine Coast region in this area well into the future.

For the continued development of the Sunshine Coast and with its increased capacity, this vital highway upgrade will provide safer and more efficient travel for commuters and industry along this stretch. The Project will not only cater for a Q100 (1 in 100 year) flood event, but will provide for safe high-speed, high volume traffic by separating long distance traffic from local traffic

Key features of the Project Layout

  • Provision of a revised southbound exit from the Bruce Highway to Pignata Road. The new exit ramp will meet current design standards and provide a safe and direct access to local businesses and residences, as well as a future connection to the Harmony development in Palmview.
  • Reduction of the project footprint on the Beerwah State Forest.
  • Transformation of the existing Caloundra Road interchange into a Diverging Diamond Interchange.
  • Removal of the intersection on the Bruce Highway northbound exit ramp to the Sunshine Motorway near Wilson Road. The intersection will be replaced with new free-flowing, grade separated ramps to significantly improve safety for northbound motorists exiting and entering the Bruce Highway.
  • Inclusion of a secondary access to the western service road at the Sunshine Motorway interchange for northbound traffic on the Bruce Highway.
  • Provision of a direct access to the Sippy Downs interchange from the western service road for local traffic.
  • Retainment of all access ramps between the Sippy Downs interchange and the Sunshine Motorway.
  • Provision of new active transport infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians as well as new car pool and bus stop facilities.

Construction is expected to be completed in late 2020, weather permitting.

This is an intriguing project and a big “well done” goes to both the Fulton Hogan/Seymour Whyte Joint Venture and The Infrastructure Group for making it to the next round.

You can take a closer look at the Project, with up to date information here.