A number of major traffic changes are expected by end of the year as the Maroochydore Road and Mons Road Interchanges project charges ahead.
Traffic travelling to Nambour will use the upgraded westbound bridge over the Bruce Highway with traffic travelling to Maroochydore travelling over the new bridge at the Maroochydore Road interchange.
These are permanent traffic changes, however some lanes will remain temporarily closed to finish construction work. Traffic signal phasing will be reprogrammed and monitored.
After this, new service roads on the western and eastern side of the highway will gradually open to traffic.
A key component of the major transport upgrade involves connecting the Maroochydore Road and Mons Road interchanges via two new service roads on the eastern and western sides of the Bruce Highway.
The new western service road (to be known as Chevallum Road between Mons Road and Leafy Lane) will initially open to northbound traffic only.
This means the existing northbound highway entry ramp from Mons Road will permanently close, and instead motorists will use the new western service road to access the Maroochydore Road interchange and Bruce Highway northbound.
The full opening of the western service road (for northbound and southbound traffic) is expected in early 2023.
The eastern service road will also progressively open to traffic, with southbound traffic initially travelling on a new section between Mons Road and the Maroochydore Road interchange. The existing southbound highway exit ramp (Exit 200) to Mons Road will permanently close.
Motorists will use the Maroochydore Road interchange to access the eastern service road and the Forest Glen, Mons and Chevallum areas. Full opening of the eastern service road is expected in early 2023.
The new access arrangements will make it safer for motorists entering and exiting the Bruce Highway as well as cater for additional traffic.
Signs will be in place to direct motorists to the changed conditions and motorists are reminded to obey reduced speed limits and pay attention to changed traffic conditions.
The jointly funded, $301.25 million project includes upgrading both the Maroochydore Road and Mons Road interchanges and providing two-way service roads on the eastern and western sides of the Bruce Highway for local traffic.
When complete, the project will improve safety and efficiency and significantly increase capacity at the Mons Road and Maroochydore Road interchanges and along this section of the Bruce Highway.
This project is jointly funded on an 80:20 basis, with the Australian Government contributing $241 million and the Queensland Government contributing $60.25 million.
Construction is expected to be completed in mid-2023 (weather and construction conditions permitting) with the project expected to support an average of 380 jobs.
