WHAT could you buy with $1 billion? The money buys the Sunshine Coast only 3km of new lanes on the Bruce Hwy.
Federal Opposition leader Tony Abbott yesterday announced a $7 billion pledge under a Federal Coalition Government to improve Queensland’s 1700km Bruce Hwy.
The pledge equates to $2.6 billion more towards fixing the highway than the Labor Government commitment earlier this year.
On the Coast, more than $1 billion will be set aside under an Abbott government over the next 10 years to upgrade the Caloundra Rd to Sunshine Mwy stretch.
The 80-20 split with the Newman government would deliver stages 1 and 2 of the project.
The Labor Government only pledged to finish stage 1 earlier this year, at a cost of $400 million.
Under a Coalition government, stage 1 is planned to be finished within four years and stage 2 within six.
Stage 2 will cost almost $800 million and will include widening the 3km of the highway to six lanes and the upgrade of the Caloundra Rd interchange.
The project, which spans 7km, has been on the State Government’s priority list for the past few years.
Both sides of politics have jumped to pledge money towards making the project a reality in the lead-up to the Federal Election.
The Sunshine Coast community has banded together through The Daily’s Six Lanes Now campaign, calling for the State Government to put a six-lane highway all the way from Caboolture to the Coast on the state’s priority list.
Sunshine Coast Business Council has welcomed any injection into the regiom.
However, it believes it is time for a design to be done so it can be determined how much it will cost to upgrade the entire Bruce Hwy stretch from Caboolture to the Sunshine Mwy.
President Sandy Zubrinich said upgrading the vital piece of infrastructure would be key to the region’s economic future.
“It is vital for visitors and business people flying into Brisbane Airport or for goods that arrive at the Brisbane Port to travel on the Bruce, and that requires the whole length to the Sunshine Coast to be upgraded, not just particular segments,” Ms Zubrinich said.
The business council is pushing for an upgrade by 2018 to coincide with the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
It wants to ensure convenient accessibility to the Sunshine Coast.
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Source: http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/what-abbotts-vow-means/1949747/