The LNP has today announced a $400 million congestion busting traffic plan to end the Caloundra carpark and get the choked Caloundra Road moving again.
The major announcement is part of the LNP’s Safer Road, Better Transport program, and will futureproof the Caloundra traffic network to accommodate future growth.
- The LNP’s Caloundra Congestion Busting Plan includes:
- Completing the Nicklin Way to Third Avenue connection to take traffic off the Nicklin Way-Caloundra Road roundabout, providing alternative access into Caloundra CBD.
- Delivering a new link between Aura Boulevard to Pelican Waters Boulevard to ease pressure on Caloundra road.
- Constructing a new Kawana Way Link Road/Bells Creek Arterial Road overpass over Caloundra Road to keep traffic moving.
- Signalising the Bellvista Boulevard-Caloundra Road intersection and upgrading with slip lanes to and from Caloundra Road to boost capacity and move vehicles more quickly.
- Fast-tracking construction by directing TMR to commence planning for a congestion solution for the Nicklin Way/Caloundra Road roundabout.
The plan will target the biggest pinch-points along the Caloundra Road corridor, divert traffic from congestion hotspots, boost capacity at key intersections and create additional connections to the Caloundra CBD.
Under Labor, the Caloundra traffic network has become a carpark with major delays, frequent accidents and intersections heaving under growing traffic congestion.
More than 32,000 vehicles travel the Caloundra Road corridor every day, making it one of the busiest arterial roads outside of Brisbane, with at least 30% growth in traffic in the past two decades.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the Caloundra Congestion Busting Traffic Plan was part of the LNP’s Safer Roads, Better Transport program, designed to get our busy roads flowing again.
“The LNP will end the Caloundra carpark and get traffic moving again with our congestion busting transport plan,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Our plan will not only deliver relief to the gridlock, it will futureproof Caloundra for the coming decades.
“Caloundra Road is an artery in the heart of the southern sunshine coast, connecting Aura, Caloundra and Kawana but under Labor it has become clogged and caught in congestion.
“The LNP’s plan will get Caloundra Road moving again.”
Deputy LNP Leader Jarrod Bleijie said the LNP’s $400 million upgrade to Caloundra Road would deliver benefits right across the southern sunshine coast.
"The LNP’s Caloundra Congestion Busting Plan will take up to 20 per cent of traffic off Caloundra Road with the new link into the CBD, and even more by diverting traffic through the new link road from Aura to Pelican Waters Boulevard,” Mr Bleijie said.
“These are practical plans that will make a real difference not only to Caloundra CBD, but also Pelican Waters, Aura, Little Mountain, Currimundi and Birtinya.
“The LNP has been listening to the feedback of the community, local government and business owners and has developed this congestion busting plan to futureproof the southern Sunshine Coast.
“But this critical plan is at risk if Labor and Jason Hunt are re-elected. Only a vote for the LNP will get Caloundra Road moving again and end the Caloundra carpark.”
LNP Candidate for Caloundra Kendall Morton said the LNP’s $400 million commitment was the Right Plan for Caloundra’s Future.
“The LNP’s plan is a gamechanger for Caloundra and for the Sunshine Coast,” Ms Morton said.
“Congestion is the bugbear of every driver who travels Caloundra Road and it has been getting worse every month but after a decade Labor still hasn’t delivered any solutions.
“What’s worse Labor plans to end the Sunshine Coast Rail in Caloundra, making our gridlock even worse.
“Only the LNP will end the Caloundra carpark with a congestion-busting traffic plan and delivering Sunshine Coast Heavy Passenger Rail all the way to Maroochydore.
“Caloundra needs a fresh start and this is part of the Right Plan for our community’s future.”