The long-awaited duplication of the Cairns Western Arterial Road has taken another important step forward, with early works now underway between Lake Placid Road and the Captain Cook Highway.
I was pleased to join Matt Smith and local media on site this morning to welcome the commencement of these works and see firsthand the progress being made on a project that is vital to the future of Cairns and the Far North.
These early works include the relocation of water and sewer infrastructure between the Barron River and Caravonica State School, helping prepare the corridor for future construction while minimising disruptions as the project progresses. While much of this work is happening behind the scenes, it represents a significant milestone in delivering the long-awaited duplication.
As Cairns continues to grow, so too does the need for infrastructure that can support our expanding communities. The Cairns Western Arterial Road is a key transport corridor for residents, businesses and visitors, and upgrading the road will help improve safety, reduce congestion and increase reliability for motorists travelling across the region.
Once completed, Section 1 of the upgrade will deliver two lanes in each direction between Lake Placid Road and the Captain Cook Highway, along with important intersection improvements. These upgrades will help ease pressure on one of Cairns’ busiest routes and get people where they need to go more safely and efficiently.
For many local families, commuters and businesses, this is a project that has been a long time coming. That’s why it was encouraging to see work now underway and momentum building toward major construction.
This investment is about more than just adding extra lanes. It’s about supporting future growth, improving connectivity across the region and ensuring Far North Queensland has the infrastructure needed to meet the demands of the years ahead.
I look forward to seeing this project continue to progress and deliver lasting benefits for Cairns and the wider Far North Queensland community.
