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Captain Cook Highway plan opens community feedback submissions

Captain Cook

The Queensland public is being asked to provide feedback on the newly released preliminary master plan for upgrades on the Captain Cook Highway between the Cairns CBD and Smithfield.

The plan comes as part of a program of upgrades on Captain Cook Highway and is the culmination of long-term, multi-modal, transport planning for an efficient link between Cairns and the growing northern suburbs population.

Master planning, including a staged approach for the upgrades, is expected to be finalised by mid to late 2023.

Transparency of the plan and its implementation has been a priority, as Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said.

“Extensive consultation with impacted property owners and community engagement for the preliminary master plan along the 15.5-kilometre corridor is underway,” King said.

“A detailed program of construction timeframes will be developed once the staging options have been identified.

“Like the staged approach to upgrade the Bruce Highway on Cairns Southern Access Corridor, implementation of the delivery of the Captain Cook Highway, Cairns CBD to Smithfield, Upgrade is proposed to occur over 25 years.”

Key features of preliminary plans include improvements to ease congestion and improve safety.

The investment is estimated to support an average of 387 direct jobs over the life of the project, boosting the economy of the state, according to Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey.

“The $359 million Captain Cook Highway package is one of Far North Queensland’s most significant infrastructure projects,” Bailey said, “so it’s great to see we’ve taken another important step towards getting works underway.”

“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is committed to making it easier to move around Queensland, which is why we’re investing $29.7 billion in road and transport projects over the next four years.

“We’re delivering the projects that matter, helping Queenslanders enjoy our great lifestyle.”

The consultation period is open until 28 February 2023, to provide feedback on the preliminary master plan for Cairns, you can use the online consultation tool on the project page.

Additionally, the project team can be contacted on 1800 187 937 or through email at C2S@tmr.qld.gov.au.

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