$57 Million Arterial Road Upgrade – Bells Creek, Caloundra South

The Queensland State Government announced shovels will hit the ground on the road works between Bells Creek Arterial Road to the Bruce Highway.

The much-anticipated $57 million extension in the southern end of the Sunshine Coast, will also include an $18.2 million extension of Third Avenue to Nicklin Way, improving access to the Marchooydore CBD.

Mark Bailey, Transport and Main Roads Minister at the time outlines that the investment builds on more than $2 billion in local Bruce Highway and rail upgrades underway right now, with the state funding fully committed in the roads and transport budget as part of Queensland’s plan for economic recovery.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s partnership with Stockland means we’ll be able to create another 314 jobs and get works started on the extension in the next two to four weeks, connecting families and tradies with the Bruce Highway at Roys Road”.

“It’s this government that has a plan for economic recovery and a plan to create jobs and tackle congestion, with even more funding being added to our $3.13 billion, 3,000 job plan for roads and transport upgrades in the region.

“We’ve restored the LNP’s cuts and are building more projects for the coast than ever before with four Bruce Highway upgrades in the region, a major rail duplication and better local roads that will create thousands of jobs for local families”, Mr Bailey said.

Mr Bailey said funding to build new roads along Third Avenue and Bells Creek Arterial Road built on $3.75 million to upgrade the Ridgewood Road intersection, where early works are now underway.

David Laner, Queensland General Manager at Stockland welcomed the news for regional road upgrades.

“We welcome the Government’s commitment to funding this regionally significant piece of infrastructure, enabling it’s immediate commencement.

“The project will unlock jobs and economic investment in the short-term and provide significant long-term transport and connectivity benefits to the region,” Mr Laner said.

Rick Baberowski, Councillor and Sunshine Coast Council Acting Mayor along with Terry Landsberg, Councillor of much of the Caloundra area supported the Queensland Government’s commitment to the Nicklin Way/Third Avenue intersection upgrade project.

“This is a great example of the collaborative approach that we have fostered with the Department of Transport and Main Roads focussed on a “one network” approach” to delivering a safer and more efficient road network on the Sunshine Coast,”

“If the Federal Government’s contribution can now be assured, this project will be able to come to fruition”, Acting Mayor Baberowski said.

“What is important about this commitment is that it is an essential first phase in delivering a much needed alternative access to the Caloundra CBD and beaches,”

“This will provide an opportunity to relieve some of the heavy congestion on Caloundra Road, which has become a daily nightmare for local residents”, Cr Landsberg said.

Mr Bailey said the project was a great example of how all levels of government are working together on the Sunshine Coast, with council and the Australian Government to also fund the upgrade.