Work on the congesting-busting $300 million Cairns Western Arterial Road duplication will commence in 2022.
The business case for the project linking the Smithfield and Redlynch will be released in October 2021.
Design detail options for the upgrades is now open for public comment on the Department of Transport and Main Roads website.
The staged project between the Captain Cook Highway and Lake Placid Rd and Lake Placid Rd and Redlynch Connector Road, has two upgrade options for consideration.
Community feedback on the options will be used to inform the final preferred design solution.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said he was proud to have secured $240m in this year’s federal budget toward the project.
He said the project, given its size and scale, would take several years to build and it would be a staged construction to minimise impact on motorists.
“I want to congratulate the Department of Transport and Main Roads for the work they have done to-date in getting this important project to shovel-ready status,” Mr Entsch said.
“This just confirms the recent criticism of the project by the local Labor Senator had absolutely no basis.
“Sadly, the critics have absolutely no comprehension of how infrastructure is built or delivered and zero comprehension of what a pipeline of works actually means.
Mr Entsch said the release of the detailed design options provided the community with an opportunity to provide their input toward this important project.
“I, along with Cairns residents, realise and understand that a project of this size and scale will not be built overnight,” he said.
“But more importantly, this project will support an estimated 370 direct jobs during construction and once completed, improve road safety and efficiency for the 22,000 motorists that use the road daily.”
Mr Entsch said the $300 million Cairns Western Arterial Road duplication would complement the $359m Captain Cook Highway upgrade project.
Construction on the Captain Cook Highway upgrade project will commence in September 2021 and will also be staged to minimise impact on motorists.
To have your say and view the detailed design options for the $300 million Cairns Western Arterial Road duplication visit: www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/cairns-western-arterial-duplication
