Member for Cook David Kempton has said Port Douglas Road works have been 'in the planning for some time' and offered to take calls from anyone stuck in traffic at the site for more than 10 minutes. 

In an email to The Newsport Mr Kempton said the works, which cost $2.27 million and are expected to last until at least the end of August, were identified as necessary by Main Roads in 2011 under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA). 

"The roadworks at Port Douglas currently being undertaken by Main Roads are part of the NDRRA funding from 2011 and have been in the planning for some time," Mr Kempton said.

"The road sustained structural damage in 2011 and to minimise traffic disruption Main Roads can only undertake this work in this dry season."

Mr Kempton also said that the works were timed to come after the Cairns Adventure Festival and echoed Douglas Shire Council Mayor Julia Leu's comments that there was no reasonable alternate route available yet.

He added that hand sign controllers would control traffic between 7am and 6pm, and that traffic lights will be used outside those hours. 

The lights have been timed to keep one lane of traffic still for an average of about seven minutes and a maximum of 10. 

Mr Kempton has asked anyone kept waiting for more than 10 minutes to call his office on (07) 4092 7608.