Escaping big city rat race results in new traffic chaos

KATE Ruck moved to Cairns from Melbourne to escape the traffic but living on the south side and commuting everyday to Caravonica means she still gets stuck in commuter chaos.

The Caravonica State School teacher said it was disappointing to hear the state government would not follow through with a duplication of the road through to her workplace or upgrade the Skyrail Drive intersection because they had run out of money.

“I’ve noticed the traffic is just chaos around here, it’s bumper to bumper the whole way from Redlynch,” Ms Ruck said. “I hear parents complaining of the traffic.

“When I lived in Melbourne I lived near the schools I worked at so I never had to drive as far as I do now.

“It’s difficult trying to get out of the school too after 3pm.”

State infrastructure opposition spokesman Andrew Powell labelled the mismanagement of the Smithfield Bypass project a “joke”.

“New reports of cost blowouts, further delays and continued half-baked changes reveal this Labor Government’s complete failure to manage road projects,” he said.

“Craig Crawford needs to honour his guarantee that there’ll be no traffic lights as part of this project.

“When projects are promised, Cairns residents expect them to be delivered – unfortunately under Labor all residents get are delays, project downsizes and cost blowouts,” he said.

The project will include a flyover at the McGregor Rd roundabout, new pedestrian and cycling paths, a bridge over Avondale Creek and traffic lights where the bypass meets the Captain Cook Hwy and the Western Arterial Rd.