Southern Sunshine Coast Roads Improvement Study
A study is underway to identify and prioritise road network connectivity and safety improvements to increase road capacity within the growing southern Sunshine Coast area.
Kawana Motorway (Mooloolah River Interchange to Kawana Way Link Road)
Options are being investigated for a new motorway link (Kawana Motorway) between Parrearra and Meridan Plains. This new motorway will help cater for the growing population.
This planning study will investigate options for a new motorway link parallel with Kawana Way. The study forms part of the Southern Sunshine Coast Roads Improvement Study.
The Kawana Motorway will provide a direct connection between Parrearra (the planned Mooloolah River Interchange at Kawana Way) and Meridan Plains (Kawana Way Link Road). This will reduce congestion and improve travel times and safety on other major roads such as Kawana Way and Nicklin Way.
This project will form part of a new north-south motorway (Sunshine Motorway, through the new Mooloolah River Interchange, onto Kawana Motorway, Kawana Way Link Road and Bells Creek Arterial Road to the Bruce Highway).
The project will consider integration with adjoining projects, the Sunshine Motorway Mooloolah River Interchange and the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line, and ensure the corridor is protected to accommodate the future Kawana Motorway and Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line.
The project will consider integration with adjoining projects, the Sunshine Motorway Mooloolah River Interchange and the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line, and ensure the corridor is protected to accommodate the future Kawana Motorway and Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line.
Detailed planning, design and construction of the project will be subject to future funding availability in consideration of competing statewide priorities.
Benefits
- Improves safety
- Increases capacity
- Improves network efficiency
- Increases traffic flow
- Reduces peak hour congestion
- Accessibility
- Reduces travel time
- Contributes to economy
- Better active transport
Key features
- A new major road to form part of a planned intra-regional motorway connecting the Sunshine Motorway to Caloundra South and the Bruce Highway.
- Interchanges at intersections to accommodate long-term traffic volumes.
- Improved access to the Birtinya Town Centre and Sunshine Coast University Hospital and Health Precinct.
- Active transport infrastructure (pathways and cycle facilities) to improve safety and encourage these transport modes.
Funding
The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments as part of the Southern Sunshine Coast Roads Improvement Study.
- Total investment
- $3.6 million
- Australian Government
- $2.6 million
- Queensland Government
- $1 million
Current status
Planning is underway.
Community consultation undertaken in 2021 and 2023 is helping to shape this project.
Kawana Motorway (Mooloolah River Interchange to Kawana Way Link Road) project map
