More than $144 million will be invested by the Queensland Government for the delivery of key Cairns road projects. This funding is part of $1.45 billion invested on a four-year program for Far North roads.
“These projects include the ring road, western arterial road duplication, Harley Street intersection upgrade and southern access stage five underway.
“Overall, it’s a job-creating roads program for the Far North that will generate dozens of jobs in fields such as construction and engineering,” Member for Barron and Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said.
With more than $16.3 million in saving from other road projects, upgrade works can begin on the Harley Street intersection. The budget will also enable the duplication of the Cairns Western Arterial Road from Kamerunga Road to Stoney Creek Road as well as the construction of dedicated cycle lanes and upgrades to a number of key intersections.
Approximately $12.45 million will also be invested to get detailed planning underway for the duplication of the remainder of the Cairns Western Arterial Road.
“Securing this funding now through our budget means we’ll be able to deliver upgrades along this crucial stretch of road sooner,” Mr Crawford added.
To match Federal Government funding, the State will also allocate $71 million for the delivery of the Cairns Ring Road that will connect the CBD to Smithfield.
“This will enable planning to start straight away for a solution that cuts travel times during peak hours, improves access to major motorways and means heavy vehicles no longer have to navigate the CBD,” Member for Cairns Michael Healy said.
In addition, the State Government has allocated $45 million to deliver the last stage of the Cairns Southern Access project.
“The jointly-funded project will see the existing Bruce Highway and Foster Road intersection replaced with a new grade-separated intersection that will accommodate growth and improve traffic flow,” Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said.
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Source: Queensland Government; Industry Queensland; Mirage News
