Sunshine Motorway Upgrade – Who’s in the Running?

Locals on the Sunshine Coast know the pain points all too well, and now, there’s finally some movement.

Plans to upgrade the Sunshine Motorway at Mount Coolum have taken a step forward, with the Queensland Government releasing a draft concept and kicking off an invitation-only design tender.

What’s actually happening?

The upgrade centres on two new south-facing ramps at West Coolum Road, along with improvements to the existing interchange.

It ties into broader Sunshine Coast Council plans to better connect key local roads, including Suncoast Beach Drive and South Coolum Road, allowing smoother access onto the motorway and less pressure on surrounding roads.

Map of area being investigated for future south-facing ramps on the Sunshine Motorway at Mount Coolum. Includes future connection to Sunshine Coast Council’s proposed South Coolum Road / Suncoast Beach Drive project.

Why it matters

This stretch of the network has struggled to keep up with growth across the region. Anyone who’s sat through the Yandina–Coolum Road roundabout during peak knows it’s overdue for attention.

The new ramps are expected to:

• Ease congestion at key bottlenecks

• Improve travel times for locals

• Support future growth in the region

It’s also part of a bigger picture, with longer-term plans in play for lane duplication between Pacific Paradise and Coolum Beach, plus a new interchange at Coolum–Yandina Road.

Where things are at

Right now, the project is in two key phases:

• Community consultation on the draft concept (open until 15 May)

• Invitation-only tender for detailed design

Concept layout of the interchange. It includes an exit ramp and entry ramp, and future connection to Sunshine Coast Council's proposed Suncoast Beach Drive and South Coolum Road projects.

Who’s in the mix?

The design tender has been sent to a select group of pre-qualified firms, likely the usual suspects with strong TMR and infrastructure credentials.

While no names have been confirmed, it’s not hard to imagine a shortlist featuring major players with local and state experience across road upgrades and interchange design.

Think firms with:

• Proven delivery on Queensland transport projects

• Strong relationships with Transport and Main Roads

• Capability across both design and broader program integration

With the tender underway, all eyes are on which firms have secured a seat at the table.