Monday February 16 2015, 9:50am

The Port Douglas public pontoon at Ashford Avenue is being replaced with a larger and more advanced model.

The old pontoon, in place for many years, was nearing the end of its operational life. 

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is conducting the replacement.

In Friday's miserable, drizzling conditions, crews from Kelly’s Crane Hire removed the old pontoon on Friday after it was towed around from its original position at Ashord Avenue and lifted out by crane near the Port Douglas Yacht Club. 

The new $500,000 pontoon, contracted by Pacific Pontoon and Pier, is a gangway access pontoon, which will be wider, longer and designed to include assisted wheelchair access. It is expected to be delivered by the end of March, weather permitting. 

The works are being delivered under the $50 million Marine Infrastructure Fund. 

The replacement of the pontoon comes alongside planned upgrades of the Port Douglas Reef Marina.