Range of road options

Entsch, Main Roads support bypass ideas

SUPPORT is growing for alternative solutions to the Kuranda Range Rd, as the Department of Transport and Main Roads prepares to start construction on its $45 million Kennedy Hwy safety upgrade package.

Kennedy MP Bob Katter has been pushing his proposal for a road connecting Cairns to the Tablelands via a bypass cutting through forestry area between Mareeba and Redlynch.

Now, Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has come out in support of the idea, calling for TMR to show more “lateral thinking”.

“I’m always of the view that a tunnel or a widening of the Kuranda Range aren’t viable options,” he said.

“In the first instance, they need to look at all options on the table and determine the most practical one.

“Otherwise we’ll still be talking about it 20 years on.”

When asked if he would be willing to chase federal funding to support the bypass initiative, Mr Entsch said he was open to it.

“I’m more than happy to go to bat and get the money for a case study, but the State Government needs to be committed to it,” Mr Entsch said.

TMR is currently undertaking a $1.25 million link study to investigate improving transport capacity and efficiency between Cairns and the Northern Tablelands, including the Kuranda Range Rd.

A TMR spokeswoman said the study would consider the Kuranda Range Rd, Palmerston Hwy, Gillies Range Rd and Mossman-Mount Molloy

Rd, and other potential routes.

“When the study is complete in mid 2020, we will have a better understanding of the need for improved access between Cairns and the Northern Tablelands, and the most suitable way to progress further planning towards a solution,” she said.

“We have completed planning for the northern section of the proposed Mareeba Bypass,

which would link the Mulligan Hwy and Mareeba– Dimbulah Rd, and would also service the Mareeba industrial estate.

“Bypass construction is currently unfunded.

“TMR is delivering a $45 million package of safety upgrade works to more than 31km of the Kennedy Hwy between Kuranda and Mareeba.

“Construction is expected to start in March 2020, weather permitting.”