One lane of David Low Way’s Bli Bli bridge to close for repairs

A move to partially close a busy Sunshine Coast road bridge without any consultation to up to 50 affected businesses has been labelled as “absolutely outrageous”.

A Sunshine Coast businesswoman has labelled a government department’s move to close a lane of a busy bridge, without consulting businesses before making the plan public, as “absolutely outrageous” and irresponsible.

The Department of Transport is and Main Roads closing part of the Bli Bli bridge on David Low Way for about eight weeks for maintenance.

The bridge will be closed to traffic travelling westbound towards Bli Bli “for the safety” of road workers and motorists in early October.

“An alternate route will be available via the Sunshine Motorway, Bradman Ave and David Low Way,” the press release, sent on September 19, stated.

The route from Pacific Paradise to Bli Bli, over the bridge, is about five kilometres.

The current fastest route from Pacific Paradise to Bli Bli over the Bli Bli bridge on David Low Way.

The route on the Sunshine Mwy to Bradman Av and David Low Way doubled the distance to nearly 10km.

Roz White is the company director of six White’s IGAs on the Sunshine Coast including the Bli Bli supermarket on David Low Way and was “in shock” when she learned of the plan from the media.

The alternate route from Pacific Paradise to Bli Bli during an eight-week partial closure of the Bli Bli bridge on David Low Way. Picture: Google Maps

“Where is the consultation for the many family businesses that are operating out of the Bli Bli Village precinct,” she said.

“It’s completely irresponsible.

“Absolutely outrageous.”

She said up to 50 businesses would be affected by the bridge’s partial closure.

Roz White has labelled the move to partially close the bridge and announce the move to media before consulting local businesses as outrageous.

Across the busy road, another shopping complex has only one entry point to its car park on the westbound side of David Low Way with no option to turn from the eastbound side.

The Takeout Co owner Chad Fedele said it was the first he had heard of the plan for the repairs and although much of his business was from Bli Bli residents, they would have to make an illegal turn to get into the shop’s car park.

Hayley Duck and Chad Fedele of The Takeout Co. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“Seven or eight of my staff have to come from Pacific Paradise or even further south,” he said.

He said he was concerned about the bridge’s partial closure affecting his business, which opened four years ago.

A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said the department endeavoured to “work collaboratively” with the community and a “staged engagement approach” was underway starting with local media.

They said the repair works on the bridge was necessary to “ensure the safety” of all users.

“Bridge repair works have been scheduled at this time so they can be completed prior to Christmas and the summer school holidays.

“Any delays to starting this work may impact access to the bridge over a longer time period.”

The spokesperson acknowledged “some disruption” from the works would occur.

“Traffic control measures will be in place to enable access to businesses on the south western side of the bridge in the Riverside Centre as well as those businesses in the River Market and Town Centre shopping centres,” they said.