Work underway on Bill Fulton Bridge duplication

The highly anticipated duplication of Bill Fulton Bridge on the Cairns Western Arterial Road (CWAR) is underway.

Acting Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Jackie Trad joined Treasurer and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt, Member for Barron River Craig Crawford and Bill’s granddaughter Toni Fulton today to inspect early works on the $34.2 million project.

“Our goal was to get in early and get a start on the project before the wet season arrives, and I’m very pleased that we have managed to achieve that,” Ms Trad said.

“This important project is also great news for the local economy with almost 100 jobs expected to be supported during construction.

“I’m certain the 30,000 drivers who use the route every day are as pleased as I am to see that this project is now well underway and, weather permitting, will be finished before Christmas next year.

“The project will remove a notorious ‘pinch-point’ and improve safety at a busy intersection used by local school traffic.”

Treasurer and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said that this project was an example of how the 2016-17 Budget was delivering priority infrastructure efficiently.

“We are eager to progress this important project as quickly as possible and before Christmas we expect to see vegetation clearing, site access construction, temporary drainage works, significant earthworks and bridge piling,” Mr Pitt said.

“This is real action which will improve traffic flows and transport efficiencies around the city as our region continues to grow.

“The project scope is expected to include 120 metres of new bridging, duplication of 700 metres of CWAR between Brinsmead and Redlynch Connection roads and signalisation of the Brinsmead Road intersection.”

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said the bridge upgrade was a fitting tribute to its namesake Bill Fulton.

“In his time as the Mayor of Cairns City Council and then as the Member for Leichhardt, the late Bill Fulton was a passionate advocate for Cairns and delivered iconic projects like the Tobruk Pool and the Cairns Civic Centre. This great piece of local infrastructure is an important reminder of his legacy,” Mr Crawford said.

“We want to ensure that works will be carried out with consideration of potential environmental and cultural heritage impacts by working closely with the Gimuy Walubara Yindinji People, the Yirrganydji (Irukandji) People and Djabugay-Bulway-Yirrgay-Nyakali-Guluy People. 

“Turning right in or out of Brinsmead Road during peak periods can be very challenging, with some drivers avoiding the intersection altogether rather than attempting to cross multiple lanes of fast-moving traffic and this project will seek to address that.”

Toni Fulton, said the project upgrade was an important reminder of what her grandfather, Bill Fulton, had contributed to the area.

“I’m very proud of my grandfather, Bill Fulton, a wounded war veteran “Rat of Tobruk” – he lost half his foot due to a landmine – who returned to the battlefields and fought in Borneo until the end of the war,” Ms Fulton said.

“He went on to proudly represent our local community and this project will add to his lasting legacy in Cairns,” Ms Fulton said.

The project is funded by the Palaszczuk Government’s $180 million Significant Regional Infrastructure Projects Program (SRIPP) through the $2 billion State Infrastructure Fund.

Media contact: Anna Jabour 0429 890 942