Planning to begin for key intersection upgrade on Cairns southern access
Major Infrastructure
No matter where you live, major road infrastructure connecting us to the rest of the state affects us all.
Thus the announcement of yet another stage of the Cairns Bruce Highway Upgrade Master Plan has been welcomed by residents in the far north. They might however be amazed to hear it will cost taxpayers a whopping $225 million.
The upgrade is part of the Australian and Queensland governments’ 15-year, $13 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the Bruce Highway, Stage 5 of the Cairns Southern Access Corridor, Foster Road intersection upgrade would improve traffic flow, safety and ease traffic congestion.
“The southern access to Cairns is subject to rapid growth and I’m pleased that planning for another critical upgrade on the Bruce Highway is getting underway,” the Deputy Prime Minister.
“The Australian Government is committed to bringing road users a more efficient and safe highway driving experience, to get them where they need to be safely and on time.
“We are getting this done with a safer, smoother and more reliable Bruce Highway that will benefit Queenslanders and holidaymakers, from Brisbane to Cairns, on this key north-south route."
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said preparing Cairns for population growth was an essential park of the Cairns Bruce Highway Upgrade Master Plan.
“We want every Queenslander to get home safer and sooner, which is why we continue to invest in important projects for the Far North region and along the Bruce Highway,” Mr Bailey said.
Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said the project complements other road projects currently underway in the region.
“Since 2013 the Australian Government has committed to delivering more than $14 billion in regional road improvements across Queensland, supporting more than 30,000 jobs and boosting the economy,” Mr Entsch said.
“We’ve already delivered Stage 4, the Kate Street to Aumuller Street project, which was completed last year.
State and Federal Government project
Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said the planning project would determine a final solution for the intersection upgrade.
“The southern corridor contains the fastest growing residential parts of Far North Queensland, so we need to ensure we are delivering the best possible outcome for the community,” Mr Pitt said.
“Locals will be engaged with during the planning process as we begin to evaluate our options at this key intersection.
“Not only will we be improving safety and reducing congestion, we’ll also be supporting over 200 jobs as we continue our strong recovery from COVID-19.
The project is jointly funded by the Australian Government ($180 million) and Queensland Government ($45 million).