BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION BEGINS FOR REDLYNCH DEVIATION

Construction has begun in earnest on the Redlynch bypass, with bridge piles being driven this week to form the foundations for the $21 million project's three bridges.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Vaughan Johnson said the Redlynch bypass was a key component in the $45 million upgrading of the Brinsmead-Kamerunga Road.

"This project will provide a high standard arterial link to ease urban traffic congestion in Cairns' rapidly growing western suburbs," Mr Johnson said.

"It will also address traffic congestion in the city centre, by connecting the Bruce Highway and Captain Cook Highway and serving as a western bypass for highway traffic, including heavy vehicles."

The three bridges are:

aa 120 metre-long prestressed road bridge (across Freshwater Creek)

aa 33 metre-long steel girder cane rail bridge (across Freshwater Creek)

a 100 metre-long prestressed concrete overpass bridge (crossing the existing Brinsmead/Kamerunga Road and Kuranda railway line).

John Holland Construction and Engineering Pty Ltd won the contract for the $3.5 million bridge building project, which is expected to be completed in March 1998.

Tenders for roadworks construction for the Redlynch bypass will be called later in 1997/98.

John Holland also won the roadworks contract for Brinsmead-Kamerunga Road upgrade between Griffiths Street and Loridan Drive, on which preliminary work has begun.

The total $45 million upgrade of the Brinsmead-Kamerunga Road, including the Redlynch bypass, is scheduled for completion by the end of 1999.

Science students from the Cairns Christian College will meet Mr Johnson when they visit the bridge construction site at Redlynch at 2pm today. (Thursday 16 October)

The students are visiting the site to witness the practical application of engineering and construction principles.

The Redlynch bypass will divert from the main Brinsmead-Kamerunga Road at a T-intersection near the Cairns Christian College, helping to relieve traffic congestion for the school and other busy intersections along the current Brinsmead-Kamerunga route.

The State Government has provided $110,000 to address immediate traffic congestion and safety problems at the intersection of the Brinsmead-Kamerunga Road and the Redlynch Intake Road (the Red Beret corner), for an upgrading project which will be carried out before Christmas 1997.