Delays Expected on Sunshine Motorway and Caloundra Road This Friday

Friday Commute Overview: January 30, 2026

As the first week of the new school year concludes, Sunshine Coast commuters should prepare for a busy Friday morning on the roads. With school zones back in full effect and several major roadwork projects reaching peak activity, travel times are expected to be higher than average across several key arteries. Authorities have confirmed that regular police patrols will be focusing on school zone compliance today, so motorists are urged to maintain the 40km/h limit during designated morning and afternoon periods.

Major Arteries and Highway Delays

Significant congestion is anticipated on the Sunshine Motorway. Current reports indicate delays in both directions: eastbound after the Kawana Way exit and westbound between Mountain Creek and Sippy Downs. These bottlenecks are expected to be most severe during the morning peak between 7:00 am and 9:00 am.

Additionally, Caloundra Road is seeing increased pressure on the approach to the Kawana Way Link Road. Eastbound traffic is likely to experience slow-moving conditions as motorists merge through the interchange. On Steve Irwin Way, commuters should expect changed conditions between Beerburrum and Beerwah. This area is a high-activity zone for the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Stage 1 project, with worker vehicle movements and standard day works scheduled between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm.

Local Road Closures and Resealing Projects

Several local road projects will impact neighborhood travel today:

• Glass House Mountains: Moffatt Road remains closed to through traffic between Steve Irwin Way and Anderson Road. This is a long-term closure with detours clearly marked for local residents.
• Peachester: Road resealing works on River Road are ongoing. Expect single-lane traffic and minor delays as crews continue a two-week maintenance program.
• Palmwoods: Significant works are underway on Cardinal Court, Palmwoods School Road, and Old Orchard Drive. Given the proximity to the local school, parents and residents should allow extra time for drop-offs and pickups.
• Aroona: Maintenance on Beerburrum Street is scheduled to wrap up its current phase today. Motorists should watch for lane reductions and the presence of traffic controllers.

Public Transport Update

Following the significant track closures earlier this month, Translink and Queensland Rail have confirmed that all services returned to a regular timetable earlier this week. Trains on the Sunshine Coast line are running to their normal Friday schedule. However, passengers using bus connections near Mooloolaba Road should be aware of partial lane closures due to the ongoing intersection upgrade, which may cause minor delays for local bus routes. Commuters are advised to check the latest service status before heading to the platform.