Highway work begins

Edmonton-Gordonvale stretch gets upgrade

THE capacity of one of the Bruce Highway’s busiest twolane sections is set to double, with works starting on the $481 million stage three of the Cairns Southern Access Corridor.

Leichhardt and Mulgrave MPs Warren Entsch and Curtis Pitt were joined by Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey to mark the start of the upgrade between Edmonton and Gordonvale – the Far North’s biggest road project, which will have a number of at-grade level crossings removed, a new overpass south of Maitland Road and a new alignment for the highway.

The project is set to support 466 jobs.

Mr Entsch said the Federal Government was working closely with the State Government to invest in big infrastructure projects to support and encourage growth in Far North Queensland.

“All stages in the Cairns Southern Access Corridor upgrades are delivering a dedicated cycleway and when complete, cyclists will be able to safely ride all the way from Gordonvale into the heart of the Cairns CBD,” he said.

Mr Pitt said the start of works on the 10.5km upgrade would be welcome news for growing communities in Cairns’ south and the region’s $9.6 billion economy.

“When the first sod is turned on a project of this scale, it signals a way forward and creates economic benefits for the whole community,” he said.

“Together with projects like the $127 million Cairns Shipping Development and Kate Street to Aumuller Street project, we’re strengthening supply chains, bolstering the economy and supporting more than 1000 jobs.”

Mr Bailey said: “Investing in Queensland infrastructure means creating Queensland jobs, as we unite and recover from COVID-19”.

“It’s part of a $1.45 billion roads and transport program for the Far North, that includes the jointly funded $104 million Cairns Southern Access Stage 4 – Kate Street to Aumuller Street project and the $164 million Smithfield Bypass.

“Thanks to Queensland’s strong response to the pandemic, the Queensland Government has been able to continue delivering our record $23 billion pipeline of road and transport projects – crucial to stimulating our economic recovery.”

Changed traffic conditions will be in place intermittently from August this year.

Early works will involve removing vegetation and demolishing structures in the project corridor along the highway as well as establishing a site office near Kern Street at Gordonvale.

The project is expected to be completed mid-2023, weather permitting.