Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade

The Queensland Government is progressing the Mooloolah River Interchange (MRI) Upgrade to improve safety, reduce congestion and enhance connectivity on the Sunshine Coast's transport network.

Benefits

• Improves safety
• Improves network efficiency
• Better road access
• Reduces peak hour congestion
• Reduces travel time
• Contributes to economy

Key features

The first stage of this project will include:

• a new road overpass to provide a more direct and efficient connection from Nicklin Way to Brisbane Road at Mooloolaba
• a new local road connection between Karawatha Drive at Mountain Creek and Brisbane Road at Mooloolaba
• a new signalised intersection linking Brisbane Road and the new connection to Karawatha Drive, and provision of a two-way service road
• a new active transport provisions for pedestrians and bike riders, connecting Mountain Creek and Mooloolaba
• local traffic separated from high-speed motorway traffic.

Stage 2 of the upgrade includes:

• a new Mooloolah River Crossing connecting the Sunshine Motorway to Kawana Way
• an additional northbound lane on the Sunshine Motorway between the Mooloolah River Interchange and Buderim-Mooloolaba Interchange
• duplication of the Sunshine Motorway between the existing Kawana Way Interchange and the new Mooloolah River Interchange
• a new overpass to connect Nicklin Way northbound with Brisbane Road.

Funding

The Queensland Government is committed to delivering the full MRI Upgrade. This project is a planned investment (Investment ID: 2007574 and ID: 3947731).

Integration with The Wave

The MRI Upgrade is critical to delivery of The Wave, a transformative infrastructure plan for the Sunshine Coast. The Wave includes:

• Stages 1 and 2 (Rail), a new heavy passenger rail line connecting Beerwah to Birtinya
• Stage 3 (Metro), a new high-capacity, high-frequency metro-style service extending from Birtinya to the Sunshine Coast Airport via Mountain Creek and Maroochydore CBD.

The MRI Upgrade will facilitate seamless access from Kawana Way through to the Sunshine Motorway.

This integrated approach ensures a connected, future-ready transport network to support the region’s growth.

Current status

Early works for Stage 1 of the MRI Upgrade are underway, including site preparation, service relocations and geotechnical investigations.

The MRI Upgrade will be delivered via integrated Program Alliances with The Wave Stage 3 (Metro), ensuring these critical projects are completed efficiently, effectively and to the highest standard. The Program Alliances are expected to be established by late 2026, with main construction expected to commence in 2027.

An updated concept layout for future stages of the MRI Upgrade has been developed to align with The Wave Stage 3 (Metro). This concept layout is subject to further development once the Program Alliance delivery partners are onboard and design progresses.

Community consultation

Local knowledge and community feedback play an important role in shaping the design, construction, and delivery of the project.

Read the 2023 consultation and engagement insights summary.

Environment, culture and heritage

The project complies with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). A baseline data collection program was conducted to monitor the Water Mouse population and its habitat.

View all EPBC Act compliance reports ( https://sc-p-cm.tmr.saas.dataweavers.io//community-and-environment/environmental-management/epbc-reporting ) ( https://sc-p-cm.tmr.saas.dataweavers.io//community-and-environment/environmental-management/epbc-reporting ) ( //community-and-environment/environmental-management/epbc-reporting ) associated with this project.

Sustainability

The department's sustainability policy outlines the commitments for this project.

We partner with the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) to independently evaluate and certify the environmental, social, economic and governance sustainability of major Queensland transport projects.

By embedding sustainability principles into every stage of project delivery, we aim to create resilient, future-focused infrastructure that supports economic growth, improves liveability, and contributes to Queensland’s transition to a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

As part of our commitment to sustainability, we want to hear what is important to you as we move into the design and construction phase of the project. Complete a short survey.

Detailed design layout – Stage 1

( https://sc-p-cm.tmr.saas.dataweavers.io//_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade-stage-1-detailed-design-map-stage-1-design-lay.png ) ( https://sc-p-cm.tmr.saas.dataweavers.io//_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade-stage-1-detailed-design-map-stage-1-design-lay.png ) ( //_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade-stage-1-detailed-design-map-stage-1-design-lay.png ) ( //_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade-stage-1-detailed-design-map-stage-1-design-lay.png )

Future stages concept layout

( //_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade-design-layout_july-2023.png )

Mooloolah River Interchange location map

( https://sc-p-cm.tmr.saas.dataweavers.io//_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/mooloolah-river-map.png ) ( https://sc-p-cm.tmr.saas.dataweavers.io//_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/mooloolah-river-map.png ) ( //_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/mooloolah-river-map.png ) ( //_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/mooloolah-river-map.png )

1. An additional northbound lane between the Mooloolah River Interchange and Buderim-Mooloolaba Interchange.
2. New Sunshine Motorway overpass connecting north to west.
3. New overpass providing eastbound traffic with a direct link to Brisbane Road.
4. Duplication of the Sunshine Motorway between the existing Kawana Way Interchange and the new Mooloolah River Interchange, completing 4 lanes to the Bruce Highway.
5. New direct local road connection between Karawatha Drive and Brisbane Road, removing the need for local drivers to weave across Sunshine Motorway traffic.
6. New overpass to connect Nicklin Way northbound with Brisbane Road.
7. New Mooloolah River Crossing connecting the Sunshine Motorway to Kawana Way.
8. New signalised intersection with Kawana Way.
   
    

View related projects

• The Wave ( https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/thewave ) ( https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/thewave )
• Sunshine Coast Public Transport ( https://www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/sunshine-coast-public-transport ) ( https://www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/sunshine-coast-public-transport )
• Kawana Motorway (Mooloolah River Interchange to Kawana Way Link Road) ( https://sc-p-cm.tmr.saas.dataweavers.io//projects/kawana-motorway ) ( https://sc-p-cm.tmr.saas.dataweavers.io//projects/kawana-motorway )