Bruce Highway upgrade from Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway completed | VIDEO

A $932m Bruce Highway upgrade at the Sunshine Coast involving Australia’s first diverging diamond interchange has been completed. Watch the video to see it in action.

More than four years of roadworks have come to an end with the official opening of the Sunshine Coast’s largest ever infrastructure project.

The $932m Bruce Highway upgrade between the Sunshine Motorway and Caloundra Road has been completed.

The works involved Australia’s first diverging diamond interchange, six-laning between Caloundra Road and the motorway and a two-way service road between Steve Irwin Way and Tanawha Tourist Drive.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said while in Caloundra on Wednesday that it was a vital upgrade to ensure the region coped with its ongoing growth.

She said the project created 680 jobs.

Caloundra MP Jason Hunt, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Fisher MP Andrew Wallace at the opening of the Sunshine Coast’s largest ever infrastructure project. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“Infrastructure projects like this one which have supported jobs and powered on through the global pandemic have been a critical part of Queensland’s Economic Recovery Plan,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“The Sunshine Coast was already a growing community pre-Covid which is why this upgrade was vital but because of our strong health response, it’s become even more popular.”

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,” Mr Joyce 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.”

Meanwhile work continued on the $301m upgrades to the Maroochydore and Mons Road interchanges.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the project reached an important milestone with the completion of a new bridge over Eudlo Creek at Forest Glen.

He said the $662.5m Bruce Bruce Highway upgrade from Caboolture-Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way was also well underway.

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 high-speed, 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 carpool 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.