Orealla Crescent Bridge Replacement

Orealla Crescent Bridge replacement

Orealla Crescent Bridge on David Low Way at Sunrise Beach is being replaced. The construction of a stronger and wider bridge will benefit the local community and economy.

This $3.8 million project is jointly funded by Noosa Council and the Australian Government, as part of the Bridge Renewal Program.

Key features of the new bridge include:

  • single-span bridge structure with a 100-year design life
  • two lanes of traffic across the bridge
  • two on-road cycle lanes and protected off-road pedestrian facility
  • improved pedestrian access along Orealla Crescent
  • resealing of affected areas of Orealla Crescent and Tingira Crescent.

The project will take about five months to complete, weather permitting.

Bridge reopened

David Low Way at Sunrise Beach is now open, but please be aware, contractors may close one lane on occasions to do further work. This will occur between 9am and 3pm.

The Orealla Crescent underpass will remain closed until all works are completed. It is hoped this could reopen towards the end of October.

The detour routes along Tingira Crescent have been removed. Some on-street parking is being returned to normal.

Any vehicles exceeding 22.5 tonnes must use the Sunshine Motorway via Emu Mountain Road and Eenie Creek Road. TransLink and BusLink services will operate as normal on David Low Way.

Detour map of Sunshine Motorway

Orealla Cres Bridge

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Orealla Crescent Bridge has been inspected regularly as part of Council’s ongoing infrastructure maintenance program. Recent inspections revealed an increased level of deterioration due to exposure to salt-laden air.

    Council determined a full replacement of the bridge would provide the best value for money and would help avoid the need for additional major works in the future.

  • The aim is to complete the bridge replacement with minimum disruption to the community.

    With the bridge component completed, David Low Way is now open, however the Orealla Crescent underpass will remain closed until all works are completed. It is hoped to have the underpass section reopened by late October.

     

  • Noosa Shire is dedicated to encouraging transport options that reduce congestion and the reliance on cars. Public transport is a convenient and sustainable way to get around Noosa. It provides a vital service for people travelling around Noosa Shire and the Sunshine Coast and for children going to school.

    Bus services in Noosa are operated by Sunbus and BusLink on behalf of TransLink, a division of the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Translink not only defines the bus routes and bus stop locations, but also determines the types of buses to be used and the frequency of bus services.

    Council liaised closely with TransLink to make sure bus services could continue, with the relocation of the bus stop and practice runs of the buses through the detour route to make sure it was possible drivers could safely travel. Geotechnical advice also confirmed that existing bus services could use the route without compromising the stability of the roads.

    Council continues to liaise with TransLink and bus service providers about feedback received by residents or issues raised about buses in the area.

  • The existing on-street parking along the local access route significantly impacts traffic flow and needs to be removed to allow traffic to move as freely and safely as possible.

    There is an increased risk of side-swipe and head-on collisions if a roadway is narrow, and Council’s priority is to be make this route as safe as possible for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.

    This is only a short-term arrangement and on-street parking will be re-instated once David Low Way re-opens, which is expected to be in mid-August, weather permitting.

  • Ensuring the safe and quick passage of emergency service vehicles is a high priority. Providing a route with adequate width for two-way traffic ensures emergency service vehicles can progress through this area with little delay.

    Council will provide Emergency Services with updates about the project and traffic conditions so they are aware of the road closure and local access route.

  • Council understands the local community is concerned about crossing the road near the Chalet & Co coffee shop given the increase in vehicles using the streets. Pedestrian safety was given careful consideration when determining traffic management options, and there is signage to direct pedestrians around the construction site.

    Council must assess all requests for pedestrian facilities, including temporary ones, in accordance with Australian Standard 1742.10:2009. This assessment considers many factors, such as:

    • pedestrian volumes
    • walking distance and the number of traffic lanes to be crossed
    • traffic volumes
    • presence of acceptable crossing gaps in the traffic and the average time between gaps
    • visibility at the site
    • history of pedestrian-injury crashes.

    An assessment of Tingira Crescent found that, while traffic volumes have increased, a pedestrian crossing may not be the best option because the visibility to pedestrians would be limited for approaching vehicles and pedestrians are crossing at numerous locations along that stretch of road.

    Experience has also shown there is higher potential for incidents where pedestrians are given priority, such as is the case with zebra crossings. This is due to pedestrians assuming they have immediate right of way without checking if approaching motorists have seen them and are stopping. Children are especially likely to walk onto a crossing, as they have been taught, without considering the need to check that all traffic has stopped.

    The temporary nature of the changed traffic conditions and other impacts from the detour were also a consideration. A pedestrian crossing would require the removal of some of the remaining on-street parking, and the required installation of lighting would impact adjacent residents. A crossing would also impede the flow of traffic using the detour.

    Pedestrians and motorists are reminded to be aware of their surroundings when travelling along Tingira Crescent, and Council will continue to monitor pedestrian safety to assess if further changes may be warranted.

  • Geotechnical inspections associated with risk assessment of the detour route identified an area of weakness in the parkland adjacent to Sobraon Street.

    Additional detailed geotechnical review has confirmed one lane of traffic can safely use this section of road. Council is regularly monitoring the stability of the slope to ensure it is capable of handling any increase in traffic movements and reviewing options for remediation (future project).

  • Bus services will continue to operate.

    Council has been liaising with TransLink to ensure the continuation of services despite the closure of David Low Way.

    Traffic engineers assessed the ability for buses to safely navigate the route and turn the corners, and TransLink bus drivers have also trialled the route, with no reported issues.

    The bus stop south of Vernon Street will be temporarily relocated to Sobroan Street so the local community still has a convenient bus stop within walking distance

  • Speeding vehicles has been a key issue raised by the community and Council took immediate action to address this concern.

    To increase awareness of the 40km/h speed limit along the detour, “40” pavement markings have been installed. Vehicle-actuated speed signs are also in place to let motorists know if they are exceeding the speed limit.

    Council is working with Police to increase driver compliance with the temporary detour route speed limit, with regular enforcement activities being undertaken.

    The safety of all road users remains Council’s top priority and we will closely monitor the detour and listen to community feedback to make sure we have got it right.

  • Non-compliance with Council’s request for heavy vehicles to avoid David Low Way has been an issue we are working hard to address.

    Geotechnical advice recommended heavy vehicles, with the exception of buses and waste trucks, should not use the local detour route.

    Variable Message Signs installed on approach to the detour give heavy vehicles adequate warning and an opportunity to turn around. Information on the Noosa Council website, paid advertisements in Noosa Today and on radio, and advice to heavy vehicle companies and organisations have also emphasised this restriction.

    Rgulatory signs  banning any vehicle over 22.5 tonnes have also been installed to allow Queensland Police Service and Queensland Transport to issue infringements to any motorists not complying.

  • What “local” means to one person is different to others.

    For the purpose of the detour route, the meaning of “local” means people in nearby suburbs that need to use this stretch of road to see other residents, use recreational and beach facilities, travel to work or school, or visit businesses.

    Using the Sunshine Motorway via Emu Mountain Road and Eenie Creek Road is still the preferred way for people to travel during the construction of the project, and we encourage anyone that can avoid the Sunrise Beach area to do so.

  • Council is committed to ensuring the community is kept informed about the Orealla Crescent Bridge replacement project.

    Regular updates will be posted online including on Council’s  page.

    The latest Project News can be found here.

    If you have any enquiries or would like more information, you can contact the project team via email or phone Council's Customer Service Centre on 5329 6500 or the Project Liaison Officer on 0437 300 384.

 

 

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