A major piece of active transport infrastructure has been completed and is providing safe passage for students, residents and shoppers in a busy suburb.
The completion of what was a "missing link" spans the Sunshine Motorway and connects Division 6 and 7 communities with a stand-alone pedestrian and cycle bridge.
Sunshine Coast Division 6 Councillor Christian Dickson said he was pleased to see the project finished and thanked the community for their patience and cooperation during construction.
"I am very proud to finally see this project delivered as I have been working with council to make this happen since 2016," Cr Dickson said.
"The Stringybark Road Pedestrian and Cycle bridge really boosts safety and improved connectivity between Buderim and Sippy Downs
"I know many parents have already said they will finally be able to send their kids to school and not worry about that narrow old bitumen pathway which was so close to the road.
"There are three schools, a university and health hub in the vicinity which are all major destinations for active transport users, so it's great to provide a facility that delivers on the active transport demand.
"Residents have been continually asking for this link to occur and given the growth of news homes and services in the precinct, the new link just makes sense."
The 3-metre-wide new bridge has a shared pathway for walkers, bike and scooter riders for commuting or leisure and has already been well utilised since opening.
Bridge better for you and the environment
Division 7 Councillor Ted Hungerford echoed Cr Dickson's thoughts and thanked the community for their ongoing patience.
"In addition to the new pedestrian and cycle bridge, the pathway on the existing Stringybark Road vehicle bridge has been removed and the bridge reconfigured to provide on-road cycle lanes on both sides," Cr Hungerford said.
"The separation of both bridges ensures all users can cross over the motorway safely, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to adopt our ThinkChange active transport initiative.
"This was quite a complex project building a new bridge adjacent to an existing bridge and over the Sunshine Motorway.
"We have also had significant and persistent wet weather at the start of 2024 and now this year which has hampered progress at times.
"I encourage residents to reduce your footprint and improve your health and wellbeing by walking or riding along the new bridge to work or school.''
The $14 million project was proudly supported by the Queensland Government's Cycle Network Local Government Grants program and Sunshine Coast Council.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg said the new bridge was a welcome addition to local area and had been a long time coming for residents.
"I know our community has waited quite a while for this bridge, so it's great news they now have a safer way to cross over the Sunshine Motorway," Minister Mickelberg said.
"Unfortunately, many regions had promising projects like this bridge announced, only to have them delayed or significantly increase in cost under the former Labor Government, which had a track record of mismanaging critical infrastructure.
"The Crisafulli LNP Government is focused on delivering for Queenslanders and I am glad our community finally has better access to walk or ride to work, school, the shops and other services in their area."
