LET’S GO ALL THE WAY
Shortfall in funds could leave Smithfield bypass 200m short
A NEW design for the Smithfield bypass has been completed — but there is a catch.
The project’s $152 million budget has fallen short amid warnings of a traffic bottleneck unless more funding can be found quickly.
Barron River MP Craig Crawford has vowed to find the extra money to do the job right and upgrade the road and intersection at Skyrail Dr and beyond.
THE $152 million Smithfield bypass budget has run short amid warnings of chaotic gridlock unless money is found to finish the job.
Fortunately there is plenty of time before the projected late-2021 completion date, and Barron River MP Craig Crawford is confident he can secure extra funding with time to spare.
The Cairns Post can today exclusively reveal details of the new preliminary design for the 3.8km road linking the Trinity Beach and Smithfield roundabouts through what is mostly sugarcane farming land.
The project will include a flyover at the McGregor Rd roundabout, new pedestrian and cycling paths, a bridge over Anondale Creek and traffic lights where the bypass meets the Captain Cook Hwy and the Western Arterial Rd.
However, there is a glaring omission, with the budget not extending far enough to duplicate the road through to Caravonica State School, or upgrade the Skyrail Drive intersection.
Mr Crawford said flood mitigation costs and other expensive works were stacking up and it was “up to the minister and myself” to secure more funds to avoid having an insurmountable 200m stretch of bottlenecked traffic.
“It will be annoying and confusing, not only for motorists but also tourists and buses trying to get in and out of the Skyrail and Tjapukai area,” he said.
Mr Crawford hoped the government would bring forward funding already planned for the Western Arterial Rd to ensure the work was done.
“If we don’t, it’s going to create chaos and mayhem at that area just outside Skyrail for sure,” he said.
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway managing director Craig Pocock had faith the matter would be resolved.
“Yes, if it does go ahead in its current form it is going to be disastrous, basically,” he said.
“Craig (Crawford) has certainly taken the matter very seriously and is aware of the impact it will have on this commercial precinct if they get it wrong.
“To his credit, he has been lobbying very strongly on our behalf.”