Intersection upgrade part of highway safety upgrades

Upgrades to the Captain Cook Highway and Stanton Road intersection will begin this month, as part of a $25 million program of works to improve safety.

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said improving the Captain Cook Highway is a priority.

"I’ve been out talking to the community, and this is what they’ve been telling me they want,” Mr Crawford said.

“When completed, locals can expect to see two right-turns out of Stanton Road which will increase traffic flow through the area.

“The upgrade is part of a program of safety upgrades being rolled out on the Captain Cook Highway between Cairns and Ellis Beach.

“These works will help get locals home to their families faster and make the road safer.”

Mr Crawford said the upgrade complemented the $300 million Cairns Western Arterial Road (CWAR) duplication, which was currently in the detailed design phase.

“There is an infrastructure boom underway in Cairns, with major road investments ramping up as part of Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan,” he said.

“Detailed design and preconstruction have kicked off on the $300 million CWAR upgrade, and early works are expected to start this month on the $359 million Cairns Ring Road upgrade.

“The $164 million Smithfield Bypass is getting closer to completion, and there are plenty more works in the pipeline.

“Residents on Cairns’ southside aren’t missing either with the $123 million Bruce Highway upgrade just south of the CBD now complete and work powering ahead on the $481 million Edmonton to Gordonvale upgrade.”

Mr Crawford thanked Smithfield residents for their patience during construction at Stanton Road, which was expected to take three weeks.

“Some single-lane closures and reduced speed limits will be needed as work gets underway,” he said.

“The community can expect minor delays and I ask everyone to plan their journeys in advance.

“Weather permitting, locals should see the benefits of this upgrade by late October.”

The Stanton Road intersection upgrade is part of a $25 million program of safety works on Captain Cook Highway being delivered by the Palaszczuk Government.

Through this program, over 25km of the Captain Cook Highway will be improved through intersection upgrades, pedestrian and bike facilities, guardrail installation, bike lane kerb, additional signage, wide centre line treatments and bike lane connectivity.

For up-to-date information on roadworks and other traffic information, call 13 19 40, visit www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au  or download the app.

ENDS