In July 2021, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) released the planning layout for the Sunshine Motorway, Mooloolah River Interchange (MRI) upgrade at Mountain Creek, and design work is underway.

The first stage of the 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.

With a 56% population increase forecast for the Sunshine Coast (from 357,000 people in 2016 to 558,000 in 2041), the project will ensure road infrastructure can accommodate the forecast traffic demand and sustain ongoing population and economic growth in the region. It will also provide improved transport connectivity, greater road network capacity and improved safety for motorists, pedestrians and bike riders in the Sunshine Coast region.

The project will form part of a new north–south motorway-standard connection (Sunshine Motorway, through the new Mooloolah River Interchange, onto the future Kawana Motorway, Kawana Way Link Road and Bells Creek Arterial Road to the Bruce Highway).

For more information about the project, including future stages, visit the MRI project web page.

Have your say

TMR invited feedback on the planning layout from 19 July to 27 August 2021 and between 15 March and 29 April 2022. Community feedback is being considered and will help inform design of the MRI.

Thank you to everyone who completed the survey, provided feedback on the interactive map or through a written submission, or shared their views over the phone.