The $123.7 million Bruce Highway – Cairns Southern Access Corridor upgrade between Links Drive to Aumuller Street (K2A) is now complete and open to traffic.
Barriers and bollards have come down for the first time since August 2018, revealing a new, six-lane stretch of the Bruce Highway.
“The completion of the K2A project is a significant achievement for Far North Queensland,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Infrastructure Transport and Regional Development Minister Barnaby Joyce.
“Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch’s advocacy continues to help deliver significant infrastructure investment for the Cairns region, including a $180 million federal commitment for the next stage of the Southern Access Corridor.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the new 2.6-kilometre section was supported by a new, three-lane, inbound bridge at Chinaman Creek and widened, three-lane, outbound bridge.
“The K2A project includes intersection upgrades for Lyons Street and Aumuller Street while the intersection at Kenny Street and Draper Street has been upgraded to a signalised intersection,” Bailey said.
“An off-road shared pathway has been completed as part of the project which will provide commuters with more active transport choices.
“Local businesses will find that this project will pay dividends with increased traffic flow past the commercial outlets in the area.
Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch added that the K2A project would support the growth of the Cairns region for years to come.
“The project has been completed on schedule and will reduce travel times, increase traffic flow with improved safety along this vital section,” Entsch said.
“There’s extensive planning happening on the $300 million Cairns Western Arterial Road, and early works will start later this year on the $359 million Cairns Ring Road.”