Cairns Western Arterial Road, Redlynch Connector Road to Captain Cook Highway, duplication

The department is undertaking a $300 million project to duplicate the Cairns Western Arterial Road between Redlynch Connector Road and Captain Cook Highway.

In October 2020, the Queensland Government committed to a $60 million upgrade of Cairns Western Arterial Road between Redlynch Connector Road and Kamerunga Road.

On 10 May 2021, the Australian Government committed a further $240 million to upgrade the remaining single lane sections of Cairns Western Arterial Road as part of the federal budget.

Benefits

  • Improves safety
  • Increases capacity
  • Improves network efficiency
  • Increases traffic flow
  • Reduces peak hour congestion
  • Reduces travel time
  • Contributes to economy
  • Contributes to regional growth
  • Better active transport

Key features

  • Upgrade of the section of the Cairns Western Arterial Road (CWAR) between Redlynch Connector Road and Captain Cook Highway to a 4-lane dual carriageway.
  • Duplication of the rail overpass at Redlynch.
  • Duplication of the Kamerunga Bridge over the Barron River.

Funding

The Australian Government and Queensland Government are funding the project.

Queensland Government funding has been released for preparation works for section 1, while the department continues to work towards meeting requirements set forth by the Australian Government for the release of construction funding. This follows the Australian Government’s Independent Strategic Review of its Infrastructure Investment Program.

Investment ID 1810618

Funding figures as at QTRIP 2023–24 to 2026–27 (June 2023).

Total investment
$300 million
Australian Government
$240 million
Queensland Government
$60 million

Current status

Detailed design for the project commenced in April 2022.

The project will be carried out in 3 sections:

  • Lake Placid Road to Captain Cook Highway (Section 1)
  • Redlynch Connector Road to Harley Street, including duplication of the rail overpass at Redlynch (Section 2)
  • Harley Street to Lake Placid Road, including a new Barron River bridge (Section 3).

Staging of these works will help minimise impacts to road users during construction.

Preparation works for section 1 are expected to start in late 2024, weather and construction conditions permitting. This will involve relocating services (Telstra, electricity, sewerage and water), and some vegetation removal, between Barron River Bridge and Caravonica State School.