Work to make the Kennedy Highway safer between Cairns and Mareeba is getting underway this month.
Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said the $240,000 rehabilitation project would stabilise the slope and address erosion.
“The safety of drivers on the range is the number one priority,” Mr Crawford said.
“Crews will secure loose rocks on the cliffside at two locations towards the bottom of the Kuranda Range.
“This will reduce the risk of falls onto the road through the installation of mesh and concrete retaining walls.
“The roadside will also be improved, with vegetation planned for removal.”
Mr Crawford said the project supported other targeted safety improvements currently being delivered on the Kennedy Highway.
“The Kennedy Highway is a key link between Cairns, Mareeba and south to Mount Garnet, so it’s important we’re pressing on with upgrades for businesses, locals and holiday makers ,” he said.
“We’re delivering stage two of the $37.6 million Kennedy Highway upgrade between Mareeba and Tolga, supporting 121 jobs in the region.
“The rollout of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) technology is also underway between Smithfield and Rainforestation Nature Park, Kuranda.
“ITS will allow Transport and Main Roads to communicate real time travel information with drivers and improve reliability along the range.
“The technology also facilitates variable speed limit signs, which are proven to reduce the number of rear-end casualty crashes and will integrate with new technology in the future.
“Projects like this form part of the Palaszczuk Government’s record $27.5 billion roads and transport investment plan over four years, which is creating 24, 000 jobs, and helping to drive Queensland’s economic recovery from Covid-19.”
Work on the Kennedy Highway will take place between 9am and 3pm, with intermittent road closures required during construction.
Traffic management, including signs, will be in place on the approaches to the works to advise motorists about changed traffic conditions.
Additional slope stabilisation works will be carried out at key locations from October 2021, conditions permitting, including:
- the Kennedy Highway, between Mareeba and Ravenshoe
- the Mulligan Highway, between Mount Molloy and Lakeland
- Pine Creek – Yarrabah Road
For up-to-date information on roadworks and other traffic information, call 13 19 40, visit www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or download the app.
