JCU seeks connection

Fear university’s expansion will be put at risk without consultation on road design Contract winner to be named in May

JAMES Cook University has been left out of the loop in the Smithfield bypass design which shows students will be forced to drive in the wrong direction to access the route.

The shortlist for contractors is down to two contractors creating competing concepts for the $152 million project with the winning design to be chosen in less than four months.

The State Government’s current map has drawn criticism from motorists and businesses for a lack of consultation and the use of traffic lights at the Yorkeys Knob turn-off instead of an overpass.

JCU director of estate Hilary Kavanagh was concerned the bypass would overshoot the university, which is in a state of major growth in both infrastructure and student numbers.

“JCU is in the middle of delivering $100 million of capital projects,” he said.

“This doesn’t help us and we didn’t see it coming.

“The university wasn’t involved and wasn’t consulted on the route that it takes.”

Mr Kavanagh said JCU would make its case for an overpass linking the university to the new 3.8km-long road to be included in the design when he meets Department of Transport and Main Roads representatives next week.

“Hopefully, they’re in a position where our concerns can influence the design or the outcome,” he said.

3.8km two-lane bypass running parallel to the Captain Cook Highway between Yorkeys Knob turn-off and roundabout on McGregor Rd.

State Government says the bypass will cut journey times between McGregor and Yorkeys Knob Rds from 13 minutes to five minutes (63%) during the morning and 15 minutes to four minutes (75%) in the afternoon peak.

“The vice-chancellor Sandra Harding and I met the local member Minister Craig Crawford on Friday.

“He understands our concerns and is very supportive of JCU and the position we’re in.

“We understand the need to improve the commute journey for the people of the Northern Beaches into and out of the city – it’s not good at the moment.

“But it would be great if there could be minimal negative impact on businesses.”

A DTMR spokesman said details of the competing designs would be kept confidential until the tender was awarded.

“We are working with two short-listed tenderers through an early contractor involvement process,” he said.

“The successful party is expected to be named in late May, after a rigorous tender assessment process.”

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