Signs of recovery in Cyclone Larry affected area

A five-month project to replace more than 3000 road signs in the Innisfail area damaged or destroyed during Cyclone Larry earlier this year has been completed, Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said today.

Mr Lucas said the completion of the project was another sign the region was recovering after the devastation of Cyclone Larry.

“Main Roads and its construction arm, RoadTek, in Cairns have worked tirelessly since the March cyclone to help the cyclone-affected area by restoring road access and reinstating road signs,” Mr Lucas said.

“The completion of this project is another milestone for the community and I am pleased that Main Roads has been able to do its bit to help the region get back on its feet.”

Mr Lucas who visited Innisfail two weeks after the cyclone, said five large red road signs were erected in the region to warn motorists they were entering an area where many road signs were damaged or missing.

The warning signs were located on the Bruce Highway, south of Gordonvale and on the Johnstone Shire/Cardwell Shire boundary, on Riverstone Road, some 800m from the traffic lights at the Gordonvale intersection heading towards the Gillies Range, and on the Kennedy Highway at Walkamin and south of Mt Garnet near the Forty Mile Scrub.

About 3200 signs were replaced on the State-controlled road network, with the majority in the Innisfail area and some on the Tablelands and south of Mt Garnet.

Mr Lucas said four months after the cyclone, about 80% of standard warning and regulatory signs and 15% of non-standard directional signage had been restored.

“The last of the replacement signs have been installed and Main Roads has now been able to remove the large warning signs, heralding the end of this mammoth task,” Mr Lucas said.

In order to fast track the work, Main Roads crews were brought in from Townsville and Mackay. Private contractors were also hired.

Mr Lucas said the replacement rate for signs depended on the location.

“It took some time to catalogue what signs were missing and order replacements,” Mr Lucas said.

“Some signs even had to be specially designed.

“It was an enormous project and is an example of Main Roads willingness and commitment to help with the on-going recovery process.”

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 3237 1942