Congestion buster: How $1.9b will transform the Bruce

Three key projects worth $1.9 billion are hoped to provide a solution to Bruce Highway traffic bedlam at the Coast. See the videos to find out what will change

Like clockwork, the state's major highway is guaranteed to turn into a carpark on school or public holidays between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

Billions of dollars have been promised to improve notorious bottlenecks, with some major projects expected to be completed within the next 12 months.

Within three years, more of the highway between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane will be widened to six lanes and it will have new bridges and interchanges.

Deep dive into the Coast's 'biggest construction project'

Nightmare Bruce Hwy traffic as holiday-makers leave Coast

The Maroochydore and Mons Rd interchange is hoped to relieve pressure at two congestion hot spots, while works near Caloundra include Australia's first diverging diamond interchange.

The 2020-21 Federal Budget released on Tuesday included $2.34 billion in spending on the highway for upgrades and planning between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

These are the three key projects, worth about $1.9 billion, that will transform the Bruce Highway in coming years.

The projects are included in the $12.6 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, being delivered between 2013 to 2028.

Maroochydore and Mons Rds interchange

Construction has started on a project hoped to provide a solution for two congestion hot spots on the Bruce Highway at Forest Glen.

The state and federal funded Maroochydore and Mons Rd interchange upgrade involves converting the Maroochydore Rd and Nambour Connection Rd roundabout into a fully controlled signalised interchange.

The project will also include widening Mons Rd under the Bruce Highway and relocating on and off-ramp access points.

The federal contribution was included in the 2020-21 Federal Budget, released on Tuesday.

The project is being completed by John Holland Seymour Whyte Joint Venture, and is expected to create 380 jobs.

Construction of the new four-lane eastbound bridge at the Maroochydore Rd interchange is expected to start soon.

Cost: $301.25 million

Time frame: Construction started early June 2020, expected completion in 2022.

Caloundra Rd to Sunshine Motorway

The Bruce Highway will be upgraded to six lanes between Caloundra Rd and the Sunshine Motorway.

The project includes major upgrades to both interchanges and a two-way service road for local traffic on the western side of the highway, between Steve Irwin Way and Tanawha Tourist Drive.

The project involves transforming the Caloundra Rd interchange into Australia's first diverging diamond interchange.

Diverging diamond interchanges reduce the number of ways that vehicles cross one another compared to traditional interchanges.

According to the Department of Transport and Main Roads the project will separate long distance from local traffic, allowing the highway to function as a high-speed, high-volume corridor.

The 2020-21 Federal Budget released on Tuesday revealed a contribution of $745.6 million, an increase on the original federal estimate of $650 million.

New lanes and access ramps at the Caloundra Rd interchange opened in May, with half of the 90 traffic switches already completed.

Cost: Revised budget of $932 million, up from the $812 million initially budgeted, with $745.6 million from federal and $186.4 million from the state government.

Time frame: Expected to be completed mid-2021, weather and construction conditions permitting.

Caboolture-Bribie Island Rd and Steve Irwin Way

Works have started on the project to widen the 11km section of the highway from four to six lanes between Caboolture-Bribie Island Road and Steve Irwin Way.

The $662.5 million upgrade includes widening the problematic section of the highway and replacing 10 bridges over five creek crossings. The new bridges will be wider and taller.

The first of the two construction contracts was awarded to Acciona Infrastructure Project Australia, formerly Lendlease Engineering.

The first contract will deliver the section from Caboolture-Bribie Island Rd to Pumicestone Rd, and the second will deliver from Pumicestone Rd to Steve Irwin Way and is expected to start next year.

The project was identified as one of three priority projects during the planning for future upgrades to the Bruce Highway, between Pine River and Caloundra Rd.

The Federal Government committed $530 million towards this project in the 2020-21 budget.

Cost: $662.5 million, with $530 million from the Federal Government and $132.5 million from the state.

Time frame: First stage of works to start late 2020 and second in mid-2021. The project is expected to be completed early 2023.

From Sunshine Motorway to Maroochydore Rd

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has completed early planning for a future Bruce Highway upgrade to widen the highway to six lanes between Sunshine Motorway and Maroochydore Rd.

A long-term solution has been identified to meet future traffic growth, reduce traffic congestion and improve safety and flood immunity.

No funding for further planning, detailed design and construction is available.

The department said the project would be considered in the future, after assessment of competing priorities and depending on funding availability.

Cost: $500,000, including $400,000 from the federal and $100,000 from the state government.

Time frame: Unknown

Originally published as Congestion buster: How $1.9b will transform the Bruce