Major road safety and productivity gains are expected to flow with the official opening today of a new two-lane concrete bridge on Collins Avenue in Cairns.
The scope of works on the Graeme Haussmann Bridge included construction of a new two-lane concrete bridge deck with dedicated cycle lanes, wider traffic lanes, landscaping and new lighting at either end of the bridge.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the project received funding from the Roads to Recovery Programme (R2R), which formed part of the Australian Government’s record $50 billion investment in infrastructure.
“We are investing in local roads from one end of the nation to the other, with the R2R Programme giving Councils the funding they need to upgrade roads they have prioritised,” Mr Chester said.
Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said the Graeme Haussmann Bridge was an important piece of local infrastructure.
“The new bridge will serve the community for years to come by meeting increased traffic demand and giving cyclists more access across the city,” Mr Entsch said.
“I’m happy to see the Cairns Regional Council use $2.4 million from R2R to carry out this project – it is money well spent, which will improve our local lifestyle and support tourism activity as more people visit the Botanic Gardens.
“Between 2014-15 and 2018-19 Cairns Regional Council will receive almost $12 million under R2R to carry out other priority road projects, while more than $40 million from R2R will be invested across the entire Leichhardt electorate.”
Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning said the bridge was named in honour of a leading Cairns citizen.
“As the City Engineer, Graeme Haussmann played a leading role in establishing most of the essential infrastructure that has helped to transform Cairns into the modern, liveable city it is today,” Cr Manning said.
The Graeme Haussmann Bridge was a jointly funded project with the Australian Government contributing $2.4 million, the Queensland Government $1.5 million and Cairns Regional Council $365,000.
