No way around roadworks: mayor
No way around roadworks: mayor
Tuesday June 17 2014, 8:54am
Douglas Shire Council mayor Julia Leu has ruled out the possibility of using the Ballyhooley train track service road as an alternate route around roadworks on Port Douglas Road.
The road, which connects Port Douglas Road to Wharf Street by crossing through the grounds of Sheraton Port Douglas, was described as an ‘not feasible’ alternate route by Cr Leu yesterday.
“That track would require a significant upgrade to handle the amount of traffic that regularly uses Port Douglas Road or it would degenerate overnight,” Cr Leu said.
“It itself would need roadworks to fix the amount of potholes and other road surface issues before it could be used properly as an alternate route.
“There are also several issues with land tenure since it crosses through private property."
The roadworks in Port Douglas Road and Craiglie will cost $2.27 million and last until at least the end of August.
Cr Leu did express hope that a viable detour could be set up once the completed sections of road on the Port Douglas Road works reached the Mahogany Street intersection.
A spokesperson from Main Road said the roadworks were important and were timed come after major events such as the Cairns Ironman.
“These important projects will rebuild road surface sections we identified as having suffered damage from severe wet weather,” the spokesperson said.
“We understand the impact of roadworks on local communities and ensured works did not disrupt major local events associated with the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival.
“We appreciate the community’s patience while these important works are carried out.”
