A new and improved Sippy Downs Drive is on track to be delivered by the end of 2019, with the $12.2 million fourth and final stage of the upgrade now past the half-way mark.
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.
To minimise disruption to the community, major work on the signalised intersection at University Way and Sippy Downs Drive will start in late June for approximately six-weeks, coinciding with school and university holidays.
Divisional Councillor Christian Dickson said the upgrade was a key project which would help improve the traffic flow and alleviate traffic issues.
“We really appreciate the community’s patience as we undertake these important upgrades which will reduce travel times once completed,” Cr Dickson said.
“We are investing in this vital infrastructure so residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a safer and less congested traffic experience.
“During this next stage of work there will be some temporary changes to traffic conditions for safety reasons which will finalise construction as soon as possible.”
Phone and power line relocation and construction of pavement, watermain and stormwater services as well as installation of retaining walls are now complete.
Upcoming changes include lane closures, a reduced speed limit of 40km/hour and access changes at James Cook Drive to University Way which will be left in, left out only. Right turns will not be available however there are multiple alternative routes.
These temporary traffic arrangements will ensure construction is completed twice as fast, compared to the alternative option of partial lane closures.
As well as the new intersection, works include widening the existing road, building new kerbs, constructing new turning lanes, installing new pedestrian crossings and new traffic signals and laying new asphalt.
Snapshot of Sippy Downs Drive Upgrade stages
• Stage one: September 2011 to December 2013 – $7.2 million
• Stage two: September 2011 to December 2013 – $500,000
• Stage three: April 2014 to February 2015 – $3.2 million
Stages one to three included moving the power underground, Sippy Downs Drive changing from a single lane carriageway to dual lane carriageway, landscaping, installing traffic signals at major intersections, constructing new pedestrian footpaths and street lighting and delivering an upgraded link from Claymore Road through to Stringybark Road and Siena Catholic College.