Traffic webcams for Cairns just a click away

Checking on the traffic is just a mouse click away for Cairns drivers following today's launch of the four new online webcams.

Minister for Main Roads Warren Pitt clicked the switch to make the cameras "live", and predicted motorists would also switch on to the information available online.

"Drivers wanting to check traffic conditions are going to have a useful tool at their fingertips," Mr Pitt said.

The Main Roads website now provides up-to-the-minute vision for a number of Cairns' busiest roads.

Webcams have been installed at the Bruce Highway's intersections with Sheehy Road and with Portsmith Road, on Cairns southern outskirts.

North of the CBD, the cameras are showing traffic conditions at the Caravonica roundabout (the intersection of the Cairns Western Arterial Road and the Captain Cook Highway) and at the intersection of Airport Avenue and the Captain Cook Highway.

The traffic cameras are a feature of the new Main Roads Department website launched by Mr Pitt this week.

The cameras in Cairns are the first outside the State’s south-east to be linked online.

"These are the first in what will be a progressive rollout of regional webcams, with another 20 planned to come online before the end of the year”, Mr Pitt said.

"This is something drivers have requested, and I'm pleased we are able to provide it."

The webcam network is part of a comprehensive revamp of the www.mainroads.qld.gov.au website which is designed to make more user-friendly.

A new online form will allow users to provide comment directly to Main Roads.

"The website upgrade is the result of a variety of feedback from the public, our industry partners and the media," Mr Pitt said.

"Main Roads is providing what people have asked for – an easy-to-operate site that provides ready access to useful, up-to-date information."

Mr Pitt said the state government had provided $30,000 to install the webcams in Cairns.

"The webcams offer motorists a glimpse into the Cairns Traffic Management Centre, which monitors a separate network of 17 closed circuit television cameras across the city,” he said.

"This footage helps Main Roads monitor traffic flow, remotely adjust the phasing of traffic signals if needed, and generally keep an eye on how traffic is flowing at key intersections."

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819