Government yet to acquire all properties

by up to 75 per cent. The twolane bypass would run parallel to the Captain Cook Highway between the Yorkeys Knob turn-off and the McGregor Rd roundabout.

The existing McGregor Rd roundabout will be converted to an intersection controlled by traffic lights with the bypass returning to the highway at a two-way overpass at the McGregor Rd intersection.

The project will take four years to complete and employ about 115 full-time workers during construction, due to start in 2018.

Barron River MP Craig Crawford said discussions were under way with a small number of landholders about acquiring the property needed for the bypass.

“Everyone is aware (about the bypass), but there are still some property holders who are going through negotiations, settlements and contracts and those sorts of things,” he said.

“That now becomes a priority for the department to move through those.

“Most of it is cane farm and bits and pieces, but there is one particular residence in there.”

Division 9 Councillor Brett Olds said the timeline for construction was too long.

“It’s going to be four years for a 3.8km road,” he said.

“I can get my kids – I reckon I can get them out of school – those three kids and I reckon we could build it ourselves in at least three (years).”

Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Far North’s unpredictable