The Australian and Queensland governments have revealed the preferred upgrade option for upgrading the Cairns Western Arterial Road between Redlynch Connector Road and Captain Cook Highway.
The Cairns Western Arterial Road Duplication project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments with the Australian Government contributing $240 million and the Queensland Government $60 million. It will support an estimated 185 jobs over the life of the project.
The project aims to duplicate Cairns Western Arterial Road between Redlynch Connector Road and Captain Cook Highway, to provide a four-lane dual carriageway. The project includes the duplication of the rail overpass at Redlynch and the Kamerunga Bridge over Barron River.
This work will be delivered in three stages, with the section between between Lake Placid Road and Captain Cook Highway comprising the first section. Construction on this section is due to start in late 2022, weather and construction conditions permitting.
Detailed design for the section between Redlynch Connector Road and Harley Street (Stage 2) will also start in 2022. However, due to compressible soils in this location it will be necessary to perform preloading before construction of this section can begin in 2023.
Detailed design for the final stage between Harley Street and Lake Placid Road (Stage 3), including a new bridge over the Barron River will also start in 2022, however construction of this stage cannot commence until all land requirements have been finalised.
Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said the project complemented other road projects currently underway in the region.
“We’ve already delivered over $380 million to jointly fund Stage 3 of upgrades to the southern approaches to Cairns, which will help ease congestion, improved safety and reduced travel times,” Mr Entsch said.
“This is in addition to our $98.96 million investment to jointly fund Stage 4 of the Cairns Southern Access Corridor from Kate to Aumuller, which has delivered long-term improvements to traffic flow, freight delivery and road safety south of Cairns.”
Around 22,000 vehicles per day travel on Cairns Western Arterial Road between Captain Cook Highway and Redlynch Connector Road.
The project also includes installation of new paths and upgrades of existing paths to improve safety and connectivity for bike riders and pedestrians.
For more information about the project, click here.
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