en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Australian state of Queensland is set to commence preliminary work on the duplication of the Cairns Western Arterial Road, while advancing 48 additional targeted road safety projects across the state.
HEH Civil has been appointed to relocate water and sewage infrastructure between Kamerunga Bridge and Captain Cook Highway before the main construction begins. These relocation works are part of the Lake Placid Road to Captain Cook Highway duplication project, jointly funded by the Australian Federal Government and the Queensland Government.
This preliminary work aims to relocate critical infrastructure out of the road corridor, prioritizing infrastructure relocation to reduce disruptions and shorten the overall construction timeline during the main works. The upgrade will expand the Cairns Western Arterial Road between Lake Placid Road and Captain Cook Highway to four lanes, with completion expected by the end of 2027, subject to weather and construction conditions.
Federal Acting Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Kristy McBain stated that the duplication project will improve access in the Cairns region. She noted that upgrading the Cairns Western Arterial Road between Lake Placid Road and Captain Cook Highway to four lanes will make travel in the area safer and more efficient.
The Cairns Western Arterial Road is a vital link connecting residential areas, Captain Cook Highway, and the broader regional road network. As Cairns and surrounding communities grow, congestion has become increasingly severe. The duplication project is expected to eliminate bottlenecks, increase capacity, and improve traffic flow for commuters, services, and freight vehicles. Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development Anthony Chisholm stated that the project will complement other transport investments in Far North Queensland, enhancing capacity, reducing travel times, and improving traffic flow. The project is being delivered under planning arrangements aimed at accelerating key transport and infrastructure projects related to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Queensland is also launching work on 48 projects under the Targeted Road Safety Program. These projects include intersection upgrades, turn lanes, shoulder widening, roadside barriers, audio-tactile line markings, wide centerline treatments, and pedestrian safety measures, to be implemented on major freight and regional routes, including the Landsborough Highway, D'Aguilar Highway, Kennedy Highway, and Warrego Highway. Preliminary survey and design investigations will begin at the intersection of D'Aguilar Highway and Sauer Road, south of Nanango, with works including pavement widening, channelized right-turn lanes, basic left-turn treatments, and roadside barriers.
The program includes audio-tactile line markings on the Landsborough Highway between Cloncurry and Kynuna, and on the Kennedy Highway in Kuranda. The Warrego Highway will receive audio-tactile line markings between Roma and Mitchell, along with barrier and line marking works at multiple locations in the Darling Downs. A section of the Capricorn Highway in Duaringa will undergo wide centerline treatment. Works on the Landsborough Highway at Longreach will include road widening, lighting, signage, and channelized right-turn treatments. Other upgrades include widening and centerline works on Palmwoods-Mooloolah Road, and new roadside safety measures in Cedar Creek.
Preliminary utility relocation works for the Cairns Western Arterial Road are expected to begin within weeks. The final cost of the main works will be announced after the main contract is awarded. Under the broader safety program, survey and design work will continue, with projects entering the construction phase at various points throughout the year. Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg stated that the program will enhance the reliability of highways, regional roads, and local intersections, building a safer and more reliable transport network for Queensland.
