Concrete foundations for Cairns Southern Access upgrade

Published Wednesday, 11 September, 2019 at 08:30 AM

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Eighty-eight concrete piles, measuring up to 24m in length, will help put the latest Cairns Southern Access Corridor’s upgrade on solid ground.

The piles form part of a new bridge being built at Woree for the $104 million Bruce Highway upgrade through Cairns’ southern suburbs.

The project, jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, will ultimately see the Bruce Highway widened from four lanes to six between Kate and Aumuller streets.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the project would deliver long-term improvements, reducing urban congestion, reducing highway travel time and improving road access.

“Projects such as this are a crucial part of our $100 billion nationwide infrastructure investment that is getting Australians to where they need to be sooner and safer – including in our regions,” Mr McCormack said.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey today inspected progress on the project with Member for Cairns Michael Healy.

“This is about backing Cairns, local industry and businesses,” Mr Bailey said.

“We’re creating a solid foundation for a better road to the Queensland Government’s $127 million port upgrade, which is securing new opportunities for tourism and industry in the far north.”

Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said this project was part of the Australian Government’s more than $840 million commitment to upgrading the Cairns Southern Access Corridor, including the recently announced $180 million for Stage 5 upgrades.

“Cairns is a vibrant growing regional city, and it is fantastic to see the Australian Government investing in Far North Queensland,” Mr Entsch said.

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the project would support more than 110 local jobs.

“This isn’t just about cutting travel times, it’s also about creating jobs. In just the last twelve months, we’ve seen 12,000 jobs create in the far north – and this is just another win for our region,” Mr Healy said.

Building of the bridge is expected to take 12 months, weather permitting, and motorists are urged to drive to any changed traffic conditions, following directions of traffic controllers.

The Bruce Highway – Cairns Southern Access Corridor – Stage 4: Kate Street to Aumuller Street project is part of the 15-year, jointly-funded Bruce Highway Upgrade Program by the Australian and Queensland governments, a $12.6 billion program of works to improve safety, flood resilience and capacity along the Bruce Highway.

ENDS

Media contact: Francis Dela Cruz - 0420 592 078