The fourth and final stage of the duplication of Sippy Downs Drive, which will significantly improve traffic flow for thousands of people every day and create an entry statement into the Sunshine Coast’s Knowledge Precinct, starts this month.
This stage of the project will upgrade the section between the Sunshine Motorway and Siena Catholic College, replace the roundabout at the intersection of University Way with traffic signals and create a new signalised intersection at the service road (at the centre entry/exit point of the road).
The early stages of construction will soon start to be visible, with earthworks and vegetation clearing scheduled for the coming weeks.
Division 6 Councillor Christian Dickson said the upgrade was a key project for his division and would help alleviate traffic issues faced by the local community and visitors to the area.
“This upgrade is fantastic news for the Sippy Downs community and one I know they have been eagerly looking forward to,” Cr Dickson said.
“Navigating the morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups will be even smoother for parents once this next stage of the upgrade is completed.
“As well as improving traffic flow now, it will help cater for forecast traffic volumes which is essential given the growth we’re continuing to see in Sippy Downs and nearby areas.”
Cr Dickson said the initial earthworks and vegetation clearing, which would include removal of the roundabout fig tree as previously advised to residents in April, allowed for the road widening and intersection upgrade.
“The vegetation clearing required now will be more than offset by the end of the project, with around 200 trees and plants planted and a new boulevard of trees at the western end of the road to create a welcoming green entry to the town centre,” Cr Dickson said.
“While we are not able to transplant the fig tree considering its size, the advice we received from professional arborists that there was a low chance the tree would survive and the very high costs involved with relocating such a large tree, I’m happy to say it will live on in the community through propagation cuttings.
“Earlier this year we propagated the cuttings in our nursery for replanting at the entry to University Way and in other parks within Sippy Downs.
“We’re expecting these will be a good size to plant at the end of the project, once the road works are completed.”
The project is due to be completed in late 2019.