Cairns Ring Road

Project Description

Significant congestion on the Captain Cook Highway is constraining access to the Cairns Port from the north and west of Cairns, and access between the Cairns Port and the Cairns Airport. Currently there is no easy ccess to connect the Cairns Port and Cairns Airport with the region's agricultural producing areas within the Atherton Tablelands, Cape York Peninsula and Mossman.

The Cairns Ring Road project will plan, design and construct road upgrades between the corner of Comport and Draper Streets in Cairns CBD to the intersection of the Captain Cook and Kennedy Highways, and Mount Milman Drive in Smithfield to ease congestion and improve connectivity between key activity hubs in the region.

The future work may include active and public transport improvements, changes to bridge structures, safety upgrades, road widening and total network solutions.

The project will also deliver early works on the Airport Avenue to James Street section of the Captian Cook Highway and may include an additional lane between Moffat Street and Lily Street, closure of some existing median breaks, intersection upgradesand changes to Passenger Transport arrangements.

Benefits

The project will improve traffic flow, freight efficiency and road safety by reducing urban congestion and travel time, enabling better connectivity between people with jobs and services, and goods with markets. The project will enhance regional connectivity, including between Cairns and the industries within the Atherton Tablelands and Cape York.

There is also an expectation that there will be a reduction in the number and severity of collisions and travel time while also improving reliability of transport networks and active transport, as well as improved accessibility between centres.

Funding

The Australian Government has committed up to $287.2 million towards the project.

Timetable

The delivery schedule will be determined in consultation with the Queensland Government.

The early works Business Case for the Airport Avenue to James Street section of the Captian Cook Highway is expected to be complete by mid-2020, with construction expected to commence mid-2021, weather permitting.