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Demolition of the original eastbound bridge connecting Nambour to Maroochydore over the Bruce Highway set to start in late January 2023.
Demolition of the original eastbound bridge connecting Nambour to Maroochydore over the Bruce Highway is set to start later this month (20 January), marking a significant Bruce Highway milestone.
The original two-lane concrete bridge was built in 1990 as part of the Nambour Bypass and has since been replaced by a new, two-span one that will carry four lanes of traffic, including active transport facilities for bike riders and pedestrians.
From 7 pm on Friday, 20 January, until 5 am on Monday, 23 January 2023, weather and construction conditions permitting, construction crews will work continuously to demolish the old bridge.
The old bridge consists of one large concrete structure, which sits above four lanes of Bruce Highway traffic. The demolition will involve excavators working to remove the structure, with more than 80 per cent of the discarded material expected to be repurposed for future road projects.
“We know how important upgrading the Bruce Highway is for Queenslanders, which is why we’re getting on with this important work,” says State Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey.
“Demolition of the old Maroochydore Road interchange bridge will be a complex job – as it was built as one large concrete structure, it needs to be removed in one process,” says State Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey.
“This project is another great example of the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s commitment to delivering better services across the state and helping Queenslanders get home sooner and safer,” says State Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey.
To maintain the safety of motorists during the demolition, all Bruce Highway traffic will be detoured through the Maroochydore Road interchange.
Motorists are advised to expect significant delays at the Maroochydore Road interchange and to avoid the area if possible. Extra time should be allowed for journeys.
Transport and Main Roads appreciate roadworks can be frustrating for surrounding residents and businesses, and every effort will be made to minimise the impacts of the demolition on the community.
In the lead-up to the weekend works, traffic from Maroochydore Road to Nambour Connection Road has been realigned onto the newly upgraded, westbound bridge to enable demolition.
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 highway.
“It comes as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s over $3 billion road and transport plan for the Sunshine Coast over the next four years, supporting 2,700 good, secure jobs in the region,” says State Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton.
“We’re delivering more lanes, better interchanges and safer conditions all across the state, helping Queenslanders spend less time behind the wheel and more enjoying our great lifestyle,” says State Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton.
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. The project is expected to be completed in mid-2023 (weather and construction conditions permitting). It is estimated to support an average of 380 direct jobs over the project’s life.
“During construction, the section of the Bruce Highway under the bridge will be closed, and a detour will be in place through the Maroochydore Road interchange,” says State Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton.
“Motorists are strongly encouraged to find an alternate route during the demolition weekend,” says State Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton.
For more information and to register for project updates, click here.
For up-to-date information on road closures and conditions across the state, click here, call 13 19 40 or download the QldTraffic app.
Source: © The State of Queensland 1997–2023 (Department of the Premier and Cabinet)
Image source: © The State of Queensland (Department of Transport and Main Roads)
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