Sunshine Coast upgrade
Major construction work at the site is expected to be completed by next year. Credit: Karsten Würth on Unsplash.

The Government of Queensland in Australia has unveiled the animated concepts to motorists of the next major Sunshine Coast upgrade on the Bruce Highway at Forest Glen.

Animated concepts show how the upgraded highway’s interchanges at Maroochydore Road and Mons Road will work after the completion of the A$301.25m overhaul.

Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said: “As part of our commitment to improving the safety, reliability and performance of our national highways, the Australian Government has committed A$241m to upgrade the Maroochydore Road and Mons Road interchanges.

“Through this investment, all Queenslanders, including Sunshine Coast motorists, can expect to see improvements in safety, efficiency and increased capacity along the Bruce Highway and at these two busy interchanges.

“John Holland Seymour Whyte joint venture has secured the construction contract and I look forward to seeing work on the ground beginning in coming weeks.”

The A$301.25m project is jointly funded, with the Australian Government providing A$241m and the Queensland Government committing A$60.25m.

The upgrade project is part of the A$12.6bn Bruce Highway Upgrade Programme.

Some of the key features of the project include a new four-lane road, as well as the eastbound bridge at the Maroochydore Road interchange over the Bruce Highway and installation of traffic signals on the existing free-flowing interchange.

The upgrade work will be carried out on the Mons Road interchange and will see new two-way service roads on the western and eastern sides of the Bruce Highway.

In addition, the work scope also includes transport provisions for bike riders and pedestrians through the Maroochydore Road interchange connecting to the eastern service road.

Major construction work at the site is expected to be completed by next year.

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said: “Work is nearing completion on the massive upgrade between Caloundra Road and the Sunshine Motorway, but that is just an entrée to what lies ahead for the Sunshine Coast.

“The project at Forest Glen will be quickly followed by work starting on the $1bn Gympie Bypass and then later this year, the upgrade of the highway between Caboolture and the southern Steve Irwin Way exit to six lanes.”