📋 Tender Overview
Minister for Transport and Main RoadsThe Honourable Brent Mickelberg
Early works progress on Cairns Western Arterial Road upgrade
The Cairns Western Arterial Road duplication is one step closer with early works commencing today.
Early works will include relocation of water and sewer infrastructure to reduce future disruptions.
The Cairns Western Arterial Road duplication will help get Far North Queenslanders home sooner and safer.
The works are part of the Section 1 upgrade between Lake Placid Road and the Captain Cook Highway, jointly funded by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments.
The duplication of the Cairns Western Arterial Road is one step closer with early works now underway, to get Far North Queenslanders home sooner and safer.
The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments are delivering the next stage of preparation works on the Cairns Western Arterial Road duplication between Lake Placid Road and Captain Cook Highway.
The early works underway include the relocation of water and sewer infrastructure between the Barron River and Caravonica State School to prepare the corridor for future road construction, and involve trenching, underboring and minor earthworks.
Section 1 of the Cairns Western Arterial Road duplication will provide two lanes in each direction between Lake Placid Road and Captain Cook Highway, along with intersection upgrades, getting Far North Queenslanders home sooner and safer.
The start of works marks a significant milestone in helping Cairns locals get home sooner and safer and supports the Crisafulli Governments long-term vision for the region as part of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Delivery Plan.
Tenders for major construction between Lake Placid Road and Captain Cook Highway are expected to be called in late 2026, with major construction set to begin as soon as utility relocation works allow.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the project would improve a key transport corridor for the growing Cairns region.
This critical project will transform this section of road into a four-lane carriageway between Lake Placid Road and Captain Cook Highway, improving safety, capacity and traffic flow, Minister King said.
Once completed, this upgrade will deliver a faster and more efficient journey for everyone living in or visiting the Cairns region, so its excellent to see these early works now getting underway.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the Cairns Western Arterial Road was part of the Crisafulli Governments plan for better roads and more transport.
We are getting on with delivering the Cairns Western Arterial Road to boost safety and get you home sooner, just as we promised, Minister Mickelberg said.
Shovels are now in the ground for what is a critical project for the Far North that the former State Government had shelved.
As Cairns continues to grow, Cairns Western Arterial Road will help address worsening traffic, and deliver a road network that is safer and less congested.
Assistant Minister for Tourism and Far North Queensland Bree James said todays announcement was welcomed news for the region.
Far North Queensland has been waiting for work to start on the Cairns Western Arterial Road for a long time, Assistant Minister James said.
With the next round of early works finally set to start, were delivering this long-awaited project, helping locals get home sooner and safer.
Federal Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith said the project was a step closer to a completed duplication.
This next stage of the project brings us closer to a fully duplicated road that will make driving between Lake Placid Road and Captain Cook Highway safer and smoother, while also boosting productivity for local businesses, Mr Smith said.
Cairns is seeing key investments in our local roads realised with the Western Arterial Road duplication set to benefits locals and tourists alike for many years to come.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Brendan Morris, 0428 962 414
