A series of difficult road works along the Captain Cook Highway between Cairns and Port Douglas should be finished by May, authorities say.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads started work to stabilise three slopes near the highway in August last year.

A Main Roads spokesperson said the 'complex' work was being completed between Buchan Point and Oak Beach.

"These works are being delivered under Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, a joint federal and state initiative," the spokesperson said. 

The work is to repair damage caused by wet weather in 2012.

The spokesperson said traffic conditions will most likely improve by May, provided the weather allows workers to complete the project in time.

"Reduced speed limits, traffic controllers and temporary traffic signals are currently in place to assist with traffic flow and to improve safety on this major route," he said.

Tourism Port Douglas Daintree are currently leading a campaign to rename the section of the highway from Yorkeys Knob to Port Douglas the Great Barrier Reef Drive.