War over ‘bridle track’
STATE MP for Barron River Craig Crawford and Federal MP for Kennedy Bob Katter are at war over road options from Mareeba to Cairns.
Mr Crawford said later this month the findings of a detailed $1.6m study by the Department of Transport and Main Roads into the best way to improve access between Cairns and the Tablelands would be released.
The report considers all routes between Cairns and the Northern Tablelands, including the Palmerston Highway, Gillies Range Road, Kennedy Highway, Mossman-Mt Molloy Road and alternatives.
Mr Crawford said the state government would work on plans for the Kuranda bridge, including pedestrian and cyclist access.
Mr Katter said plans to build a new bridge over the Barron River at Kuranda were a waste of money and a new highway to the Tablelands, dubbed the Bridle Track, should be built. “Labor want to spend $500m on a bridge when we could have a new highway for just over $1bn,” Mr Katter said.
But Mr Crawford said the bridle track proposal would cost about $4bn.
“Bob’s bridle track involves the demolition of a number of houses and streets in Redlynch, and with planning, approvals, design and corridor acquisition, would take up to 15 years to build,” Mr Crawford said.
“Shortly we will release the results of the range crossing study which will give stakeholders a fully informed position on the four access highways, their vehicle loads, accident rates and closure statistics.
“It involves short, medium and long-term strategies, including any other locations for future work.”
Mr Katter said the proposed Bridle Track Highway would be a fast, heavy transport route and cut the commute from the Tablelands to Cairns by 30 minutes.