A new “seamless public transport” link for the Sunshine Coast has been announced as part of the 2032 Olympic Games Delivery Plan.
The state government has announced the region will be connected from Beerwah through to the Sunshine Coast Airport, with a major new rail and metro connection called The Wave.
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Passengers will travel on the rail line from Beerwah to Birtinya, then metro bus to the airport with stations at Mountain Creek and Maroochydore.
Infrastructure will be constructed from the Birtinya station to the Maroochydore station, via the long-awaited Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade project (MRIU).
“The Wave is something the Sunshine Coast can really get behind,” transport and main roads minister Brent Mickelberg says.
“We are delivering seamless public transport further than what was initially planned, with commuters now able to travel past Maroochydore all the way to the Sunshine Coast Airport.
“By delivering metro, we are able to build the Mooloolah River Interchange which locals have been waiting for decades to see but has repeatedly been delayed by Labor.
“The Mooloolah River Interchange will ease congestion at the well-known traffic chokepoint on the Coast, and will include two extra lanes on the Sunshine Motorway north of Kawana Way, which is long overdue.”
The new buses slated to carry passengers across the corridor resemble the Brisbane Metro service that began service earlier this year.
There has been no announcement as of yet of which manufacturer will be behind the design and build of the ‘trackless trams’ or buses.
Premier Crisafulli says The Wave would keep the Sunshine Coast moving, now and beyond 2032.
“The Games are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver the infrastructure the Sunshine Coasts needs, not only today, but in the decades to come,” Crisafulli says.
“The Wave will go further and faster, with seamless public transport all the way to the Sunshine Coast Airport, and connect to the Athlete Village built for the Games.
“This is exactly what is needed for 2032, but more importantly, it is necessary for the future of the Sunshine Coast beyond the Games.”
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