Collins Avenue Bridge replacement complete

Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists now have safer access to the Captain Cook Highway and Cairns Airport thanks to the new $3.8 million Collins Avenue Bridge funded by the Palaszczuk Government and Cairns Regional Council. 

Treasurer and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said replacing the ageing structure with a two-span concrete bridge would also improve flood mitigation in the city.

“More than 6,000 vehicles use the Collins Avenue Bridge each day and five per cent of that traffic are heavy vehicles,” Mr Pitt said.

“The new bridge, with dedicated pedestrian and cycling lanes, will increase traffic capacity and flow to the airport, the highway, the award-winning Tanks Art Centre, the botanic gardens and Edge Hill Business Precinct.”

“The Palaszczuk Government dedicated $1.5 million to the project through the Building our Regions program, with the remaining $2.3 million provided by the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery program.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s is committed to investment in critical infrastructure projects that deliver economic outcomes and jobs keeps local economies ticking over in the longer term.

“The $375 million Building our Regions program, administered by the Department of State Development, continues to be a driving force in creating stronger regional centres.

“Since 2015, Building our Regions has allocated almost $24 million to 22 projects in Far North Queensland ranging from water and flood mitigation, sports infrastructure and airports to sewerage upgrades.”

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said he was delighted to see projects across the Cairns Region being shortlisted under Round 3 of Building our Regions.

“Three projects in the Cairns region have been shortlisted under Round 3 – Earlville trunk sewer network improvement, Mt Whitfield North flood mitigation project, and Saltwater Creek drainage remediation,” Mr Crawford said.

“The call for detailed applications under Round 3 closes today, and a thorough assessment process will take place before successful projects are announced mid-year.”

For more information on Building our Regions visit http://statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/buildingourregions

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