Port Douglas can look forward to major pedestrian safety improvements thanks to state and federal funding.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the works will improve pedestrian safety at both locations.

"At Owen Street, the concrete kerb will fill in the existing painted road markings and improve pedestrian safety by providing protection from vehicles.

“These works form part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $27.5 billion, four-year roads and transport investment plan to support 24,000 jobs, which is helping drive Queensland’s economic recovery from Covid-19,” said Bailey.

Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said the new crossings were part of a $17.27 million program of road safety upgrades, jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments.

“The program of upgrades demonstrates the ongoing commitment to rolling out lifesaving, road-safety treatments on regional roads to give greater protection to vulnerable road users,” said Entsch.

“The improvements will reduce crossing distance for pedestrians, their exposure time to traffic and improve disability access at the crossing points.

“I am pleased to see federal funding delivered under the $3 billion nationwide Road Safety Program to help keep locals and visitors safe in Port Douglas,” he said.

State Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the works to upgrade the pedestrian crossings will start later this month.

"The work on Owen Street will require the removal of an existing tree on Macrossan Street in order to allow for the alignment of footpaths for pedestrian safety.

"Pedestrian refuge islands provide a place of safety where it is difficult to cross the full width of a roadway at one time. They provide safety through a physical separation for pedestrians from vehicles,” she said.

The works, managed by Douglas Shire Council, include an improved pedestrian facility on Port Douglas Road between Langley Road and Atoll Close and the installation of concrete kerbs, pedestrian ramps and brick paved footpath on Owen Street, north of the Macrossan Street intersection.

Some car parks may be affected during the improvements of the pedestrian facilities.

Changed traffic conditions will be in place while works are carried out, including single-lane closures and reduced speed limits. Road users should expect minor delays and plan their journeys accordingly.

Nearby residents may experience temporary impacts during work hours, including noise, dust and vibrations. Every effort will be made to minimise these impacts as much as possible.