Early consultation open for alternative to Bruce Hwy to connect to Steve Irwin Way

Commuters who experience delays on the Bruce Hwy regularly have welcomed early plans for an alternative highway. SEE THE PLANS

An alternative highway to the Bruce between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast could not come soon enough for commuters frustrated with regular traffic jams and lengthy delays.

Affected property owners have been sent maps detailing the proposed route for the first stage of an alternative highway west of the Bruce to connect the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

The critical infrastructure project would be delivered in four stages and run from Joyner to Beerburrum and Steve Irwin Way.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has developed a phased consultation approach with a preferred route already identified for the first section of the road from Moodlu to Moorina.

The 55km, four-lane alternative highway was hoped to ease congestion and be built in a 90m corridor with room to expand in the future.

Clayton’s Towing owner Mike Clayton said the section between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast was renowned for traffic jams.

Governments want to build a western alternative to the Bruce Highway in Queensland’s south east.

“Every weekend it’s happening, it’s happening right now actually,” he said.

“We need to plan ahead because it’s only going to get worse.

“I’d hate to see it in 10 years’ time.

“A separate road is a good idea, at least there would be another option if something does happen on the Bruce.”

Mr Clayton said the company was called to the busy highway everyday for traffic-related nose to tail crashes.

He said there were also problems with tow truck drivers being able to get to people broken down, while also being stuck in traffic.

Clayton's Towing Service’s Mike Clayton welcomed any upgrades to the Bruce Hwy. Picture; Iain Curry

“On a weekend we can have 10 to 12 tow trucks stuck in traffic, going nowhere,” he said.

The department is consulting directly with affected landowners before gazetting stage one of the corridor from early 2022.

Residents can already comment on remaining stages – with stage four to connect to Steve Irwin Way and affect some southern Sunshine Coast residents.

The stage four study section takes in Old Gympie Road, Beerburrum Road, Mount Elimbah and part of Glass House Mountains National Park and Mount Tunbubudla East.

The department said parts of the study area were highly developed with challenging terrain, environmental, flooding and other planning constraints.

Residents can comment on a ‘study area’ the state government has identified for the fourth stage of its western alternative to the Bruce Hwy.

Time frames, design and detailed planning for stage four are not known and will depend on future funding commitments.

Queensland deputy premier Steven Miles said the first phase of consultation for stage 1 recently wrapped up.

“Community consultation is an important part of major projects like this, to make sure we are delivering the best outcome for the community,” Mr Miles said.

“Through technical investigations and community feedback, the preferred corridor for stage 1 has been identified from Moodlu to Moorina within the future Caboolture West development area.”

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is calling for early feedback on its four-stage western alternative Bruce Highway project.

The corridor identified for stage one will likely run within the future Caboolture west development area and allow for future interchanges and local roads to pass over or under it.

Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey said three options were presented to the community.

“The preferred alignment offered more opportunities for local road connections, better environmental outcomes and fewer property impacts,” Mr Bailey said.

Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said the government was committed to funding the delivery of critical road projects.

The first stage has $20m in funding committed in a 50-50 split arrangement between the state and federal governments.

“With growing population pressures across the Moreton Bay region, a new, alternative road connection to the west of the Bruce Highway will help boost the capacity of the local road network and reduce congestion,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The Bruce Highway Western Alternative project is one of many critical infrastructure projects to receive funding from the Morrison Government as part of its record $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline, which is helping to drive Australia’s economic recovery.”

The next priority stage would be south of Caboolture West from Moorina to Narangba and was around 13 kilometres long.

Consultation for stage two was expected to start early next year but in the meantime residents can provide early feedback on future stages here.