More works are set to go underway on Queensland’s Cairns Ring Road as upgrades to the James Street to Airport Avenue section of the Captain Cook Highway have been identified to be part of Stage 1 early works on a $359 million upgrade project.
The Captain Cook Highway between Cairns CBD and Smithfield has recently been added to the National Land Transport Network which recognises the importance of this road in providing a connection to the Cairns Airport as well as in supporting freight movements across Far North Queensland.
“Planning is underway for the James Street and Airport Avenue section, focusing on capacity improvements, with detailed design to begin soon.
“It is anticipated construction on the first stage of works will start by mid-2021.
“We are continuing to roll out this type of major project nationwide under our $100 billion infrastructure investment pipeline which is supporting local jobs and communities at a time when it’s needed most,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said.
Accelerating this project will create more job opportunities in Cairns’ record road investment program, with this Cairns Ring Road project expected to support up to 400 jobs.
“When these works start next year, we’ll have three major projects collectively worth more than $1 billion underway across Cairns at the same time, employing hundreds of workers.
“Right now, major Queensland cities like Cairns need a reliable supply of projects to support workers and local businesses over the next few years,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said.
According to Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch, this Captain Cook Highway project is vital to improving connectivity in the region that the industry, businesses, locals and tourists will benefit from.
Once planning is completed for this accelerated works program, works will continue to progress master planning for the entire route between Cairns CBD and Smithfield.
“It will be fantastic to see shovels in the ground on this much-needed project because that means local jobs which are very important in the current environment.
“This capacity-boosting project will address the significant congestion on the Captain Cook Highway that constraints access to the Cairns Port and Cairns Airport,” Mr Entsch said.
The upgrade will also significantly improve access between centres as well as help reduce travel times and improve safety for the thousands of motorists who pass by this route daily.
The Captain Cook Highway project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, each contributing $287.2 million and $71.8 million respectively.
“This project builds on the Australian Government’s investment in major infrastructure project in the Far North, including more than $840 million to upgrade the Cairns Southern Access Corridor,” Mr Entsch said.
Locals can now have their say on this significant road infrastructure project and State Cairns MP Michael Healy is encouraging people to fill out a survey online or contact the project team to provide project feedback.
“Nobody knows the Captain Cook Highway like the 45,000 commuters, business owners, transport operators and tour operators who drive it every day.
“That’s why we want the community to provide feedback on the planning for the Cairns Ring Road project,” Mr Healy said.
The online Get Involved Survey is open for submission from 3 August to 4 September 2020. A link to the survey can be found on the Cairns Ring Road CBD to Smithfield page.
Source: Queensland Government; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads