The Palaszczuk Government will invest more than $144 million in key Cairns road projects following its record transport budget on Tuesday.
Member for Barron River and Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said as part of the Palaszczuk Government's $1.45 billion, four-year program for Far North roads, residents would reap the benefits of funding for priority projects.
"These projects include the ring road, western arterial road duplication, Harley Street intersection upgrade and southern access stage five underway," Mr Crawford said.
"More than 230,000 people are expected to call Cairns home in the next two decades and that's why I'm proud to announce we've secured more than $16.3 million in savings from other road projects to kickstart the Harley Street intersection upgrade.
"Overall, it's a job-creating roads program for the Far North that will generate dozens of jobs in fields such as construction and engineering.
"Through our Harley Street investment, we'll be able to duplicate the Cairns Western Arterial Road from Kamerunga Road to Stoney Creek Road, build dedicated cycle lanes and upgrade a number of key intersections.
"We're also investing $12.45 million to kickstart detailed planning on duplicating the remainder of the Cairns Western Arterial Road.
"Securing this funding now through our budget means we'll be able to deliver upgrades along this crucial stretch of road sooner."
Member for Cairns Michael Healy said $71 million had been allocated to match Federal Government funding for the Cairns Ring Road project from the CBD to Smithfield.
"This will enable planning to start straight away for a solution that cuts travel times during peak hours, improves access to major motorways and means heavy vehicles no longer have to navigate the CBD," Mr Healy said.
Speaker of the Parliament and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt welcomed the funding for Cairns roads and said the Palaszczuk Government had earmarked $45 million for the last stage of the Cairns Southern Access project.
"This is a much-needed project for our community and industry that builds on construction already underway for Stage 4 between Kate Street and Aumuller Street," Mr Pitt said.
"The jointly-funded project will see the existing Bruce Highway and Foster Road intersection replaced with a new grade-separated intersection that will accommodate growth and improve traffic flow.
"As a key hub for tourism, industry and business in Queensland, the Palaszczuk Government is delivering $1.45 billion in road projects for Far North Queensland over the next four years to deliver the infrastructure, jobs and support for business our growing region needs."
