New set of lights for key stretch
MOTORISTS travelling between Cairns and the Tablelands have been assured they will not face major delays by a new set of traffic lights at the bottom of the Kuranda Range.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has been installing a new set of traffic lights at the turn-off to Smithfield Shopping Centre, along the Kennedy Highway.
The new lights are a mere 100m away from the existing set of lights, at the intersection of the highway and Canopys Edge Blvd/Cumberland Ave.
A TMR spokeswoman said that as part of the recent expansion of the shopping centre, the developer was signalising its access on the highway.
“The signalisation was a condition of the development approval from the State Assessment and Referral Agency,” she said.
“The centre expansion has increased traffic demand, which has made it more challenging to enter and exit the Kennedy Highway safely.
“The new traffic lights will be synched with the existing signals at Canopys Edge Blvd.”
Smithfield Shopping Centre had a $29 million expansion two years ago, introducing the six-screen Event Cinemas complex and dining precincts.
The al fresco dining precinct featured about eight new businesses, however, it had made parking at the southern end of the centre chaotic at peak times and weekends.
A centre spokeswoman said TMR’s introduction of the traffic light would improve access to the centre and reduce congestion during busy times.
“Most importantly, it will contribute to improved local road safety,” she said.
“We are very pleased to see the works progressing.”
Carrie Hills, the owner of Little Snappers Swim School at Smithfield, said she had endured long waits trying to leave the shopping centre.
“The new traffic lights going in are a good thing,” she said.
“I have seen quite a few near misses, especially with two lanes going up the hill and two coming down.”