Major Transport Upgrade Begins at Mooloolah River Interchange
Critical works now underway to improve safety, ease congestion and support future growth across the Sunshine Coast.
The Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade – Stage 1 has moved into action, marking the beginning of a long‑anticipated transformation of one of the Sunshine Coast’s most congested traffic bottlenecks.
Located where the Sunshine Motorway, Nicklin Way, Kawana Way and Brisbane Road converge at Mountain Creek, the interchange has long been a pinch point for motorists. The Stage 1 upgrade aims to address ongoing safety and congestion concerns while setting the groundwork for a future transport network capable of supporting the region’s rapid population growth.
What Stage 1 Delivers
Stage 1 focuses on building smarter connections and separating local traffic from high‑speed motorway traffic to improve flow and reduce weaving – a common source of delays and collisions at the interchange.
Key features of Stage 1 include:
- A new overpass to provide a more direct link from Nicklin Way to Brisbane Road at Mooloolaba
- A new local road connection between Karawatha Drive (Mountain Creek) and Brisbane Road
- A signalised intersection linking Brisbane Road with the new local connection
- Dedicated facilities for pedestrians and cyclists connecting Mountain Creek and Mooloolaba
- Improved separation of local and motorway traffic to enhance safety and reduce congestion risk
These changes will improve travel times, reduce peak‑hour congestion and deliver better road access for residents, businesses and visitors across the region.
Early Works Underway
Construction activity has now begun, with early works already underway. These initial efforts include site preparation, utility relocations and geotechnical investigations – essential groundwork that will support the full build‑out of the interchange. Major earthworks and embankment construction are scheduled to commence in 2026, weather and construction timing permitting.
Motorists are advised to plan ahead for potential delays, as some temporary disruptions such as speed reductions and traffic changes may occur throughout the build.
A Strategic Piece in “The Wave”
This upgrade forms part of a broader transport vision for the Sunshine Coast known as The Wave – a long‑term initiative to deliver coordinated infrastructure solutions including road improvements and public transport integration to support future growth.
The Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade will be a cornerstone of this strategy, improving connectivity from Maroochydore to Caloundra and beyond, while helping to unlock productivity and liveability benefits for the region.
Community Engagement and Next Stages
Extensive consultation has shaped the design of Stage 1. Feedback from more than 250 community submissions has helped refine plans and ensure that the final layout delivers real benefits while minimising impacts on local spaces.
Future stages of the project will deliver even more transformational changes – including a new crossing of the Mooloolah River, expanded motorway capacity and improved links to major arterials – subject to funding and planning approvals.
