Safety and resilience upgrades proposed for Kuranda Range Road

Several upgrades are proposed to be carried out on the Kennedy Highway between Smithfield and Kuranda – locally known as Kuranda Range Road – with the Australian and Queensland Governments developing a strategy to help reduce the length and number of unplanned closures of this road. 

The two levels of government have also committed $262.5 million to the Kuranda Range Road upgrade strategy – $210 million from the Federal Government and $52.5 million from the State Government. 

“The Kuranda Range is a key road in the transportation network of Far North Queensland. 

“Our $210 million commitment along with the Queensland Government’s $52.5 million will improve the travel experience up and down the range. 

“Everyone has a role to play when it comes to safety on our roads, and I’d like to thank road users for driving to conditions,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

As part of the strategy, Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is proposing several upgrades, including: 

• A safe turn-around area, suitable for vehicles up to 19 metres, to provide an option to turn around and change travel plans in case Kuranda Range Road is unexpectedly closed 

• A concrete median barrier at the bend locally known as ‘The Hairpin’ to reduce the risk og head-on crashes 

• The installation of a further 10 Intelligent Transport Systems technology stations on Kuranda Range Road covering a further 5.5 kilometres. These stations provide real time information to Traffic Management Centre operators to detect hazards, and monitor changes in road conditions and traffic behaviour 

Other upgrade options in the strategy include additional guardrails, shoulder widening, centre line treatments, vegetation management and slope stability treatments. 

“Kuranda Range Road is a vital lifeline to Cairns for everyone travelling to and from Kuranda, the Altherton Tablelands and beyond. 

“Every road user wants it to be as safe and efficient as possible,” Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said. 

“The Kuranda Range Road is a beautiful drive for tourists and locals alike, but many forget it’s a key freight route between Cairns and the Tablelands. 

“That’s why this investment is so important. 

“These upgrades will best equip us in the north to keep moving through whatever Mother Nature throws at us next,” Senator for Queensland Nita Green said. 

Project map (source: Department of Transport and Main Roads)

Long-term repair works on sections of Kuranda Range Road that were damaged due to Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the associated monsoonal rainfall are being prioritised by TMR. 

These repair and recovery works – which are currently in the design phase – are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, to be delivered in addition to the Kuranda Range Road upgrade. 

Safety and resilience works on Kuranda Range Road that will require lane closures will be carried out after the completion of recovery works to mitigate further disruptions to road users. 

“Tropical Cyclone Jasper has underlined the importance of safe and resilient roads that connect Cairns and the Tablelands. 

“We have listened to road users and the Australian and Queensland governments have invested to make Kuranda Range Road safer and more resilient. 

“While our focus is on the repair works, we are developing a program of treatments at strategic locations where they are most beneficial to reduce the incidence and duration of unplanned closures and to allow road users safe and reliable travel up and down the range,” Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Roads & Infrastructure Australia