• Funding program Investment Road and Rail Program
  • Status Under construction
  • Transport mode Road
  • Expected start/finish Mid 2016 - Early 2024
  • Estimated project cost $58,000,000
  • Australian Government contribution $46,400,000
  • Local Council/Shire Cairns Regional Council
  • State QLD
  • Corridor Brisbane - Cairns

Project description

The project involved:

  • The widening of the Bruce Highway from four to six lanes between Robert Road and Foster Road
  • The construction of a new service road connection on the eastern side of the highway
  • An upgrade of the Robert Road signalised intersection
  • Installation of permanent lighting

The widening works were the next stage of the Upgrade of the Southern Approach to Cairns project.

The project also includes a seven kilometre cycleway adjacent to the upgraded section of the Bruce Highway that will tie into the existing pedestrian path at Blackfellows Creek and a new shared path at the Kate Street (renamed Links Drive) and Ray Jones Intersection (to be constructed as part of the Cairns Southern Access Corridor - Stage 4 - Kate to Aullumer project).

Benefits

The expansion of this part of the Bruce Highway from four to six lanes will increase safety, and improve travel times.

The addition of the service road on the eastern side of the highway will improve access to and from the Bruce Highway and the new Robert Road signalised intersection will reduce the number and severity of crashes.

The cycleway will also improve road safety as cyclist are diverted from the highway and help ease congestion by providing an alternative transport option for motorists.

Funding

The Australian Government committed up to $42.1 million towards the project, in partnership with the Queensland Government.

Timetable

Construction for the main works commenced in June 2016 and was completed ahead of schedule in August 2017.

Construction for the cycleway commenced in mid 2020 and is expected to be completed by early 2024, weather permitting.

Project last updated:

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