Department of Transport completes site investigations for Mooloolaba, Sugar Road upgrade

Investigations are being completed as part of the design for upgrades to a major Sunshine Coast intersection used by 20,000 drivers each day.

The Sunshine Coast’s coastal suburbs including Alexandra Headland, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba, could benefit from upgrades to the Mooloolaba and Sugar Road intersection. Picture Lachie Millard

Design work is being completed on ways to address safety concerns at a notorious Sunshine Coast intersection that 20,000 drivers use every day.

Department of Transport and Main Roads on Monday started site investigations to help inform the design of the Mooloolaba Road and Sugar Road intersection upgrade.

The project is aimed to improve safety and capacity, a project update from the department said.

Residents had their say on the project in March after the department extended community consultation in response to concerns the original deadline was too tight.

The proposed $10m upgrades to the intersection.

“TMR identified a need for an interim project to improve safety and capacity at the intersection until a full Buderim-Mooloolaba Interchange upgrade can be delivered,” the project update said.

“This project will improve traffic flow and enhance the overall operations of the Mooloolaba Road bridge over the Sunshine Motorway.”

The proposed changes include extending right-turn lanes in both directions on the Mooloolaba Road bridge.

Dual left-turn lanes were to be installed from Sugar Road to Mooloolaba Road, also with a signalised pedestrian crossing, and road widening.

Dedicated on-road bike lanes in some sections and an off-road bike path westbound on the bridge are also proposed.

“Signalised pedestrian crossings at the Mooloolaba Road and Sunshine Motorway southbound exit ramp intersection and at the Mooloolaba Road and Sugar Road intersection are proposed as part of the improvements,” the department said.

“Those crossings will make it safer and easier for pedestrians to travel along the northern side of the bridge.”

Design of the upgrades was expected to be completed by late-2021, with construction currently scheduled to start by mid-2022.

Investigation works started on Monday and are being completed between 8pm and 12am.

They will continue until Thursday, weather and conditions permitting.

There will be temporary lane closures, reduced speed limits, construction signage and traffic control measures in place.

Originally published as Department of Transport completes site investigations for Mooloolaba, Sugar Road upgrade