Premier makes pre-election $450m Kuranda bridge commitment

A new bridge across the Barron River at Kuranda will be built by 2031 if a Labor government is returned to power at the next election. See the design.

Single lane operation at the Kuranda bridge over the Barron River. Picture: Brian Cassey

A new bridge across the Barron River at Kuranda will be built by 2031 if a Labor government is returned to power at the next election.

The $450m commitment from Premier Steven Miles and Barron River MP Craig Crawford is expected to be fully funded through additional borrowings.

Replacing the ailing bridge that opened in 1963, the new crossing will be built downstream using a concrete balanced cantilever design.

An artist's impression of a new bridge across the Barron River that could be built if the Miles Government is re-elected. Picture: TMR

Wider traffic lanes to meet latest design standards, and a protected zone for pedestrians and bike riders are also planned, based on positive public feedback when TMR released a bridge survey in 2022.

Construction will begin during the next term of government and will be guided by Transport and Main Roads advice.

The year 2031 has been set a project completion date.

“We are doing the work right now to ensure this new crossing meets the needs of this growing region, while also protecting the beautiful heritage protected rainforest that surrounds it,” Mr Miles said.

A total of $15m in funding was allocated for the building of a new bridge over the Barron River at Kuranda in the 2024/25 state budget. Picture: Kevin Explores

“With a $450m funding commitment, my government will build this bridge to keep the Far North connected.”

State budget funding worth $15m for bridge pre-construction work was announced in June to the concern of Advance Cairns, whose chief executive Jacinta Reddan said the bridge was a “critical priority” and action was needed at a “much faster pace.”

Barron River MP Craig Crawford said “only” a re-elected Labor government would deliver a new bridge over the river at Kuranda.

“Barron River locals can trust that I will deliver this for them – just look at the Smithfield Bypass – and we have a real $450m funding commitment on the table to deliver a new bridge,” he said.

Previously announced joint funding from the Miles and Albanese governments worth $262m will be spent on Kuranda Range Road safety, and while the exact scope of works remain “under development,” improvements could include additional Intelligent Transport Systems, protective barriers, guardrails, shoulder widening, wider centre lines and slope stability work.

The pre-election promise follows sentiment last week that the Far North had been overlooked when the Premier announced a $700m pledge to duplicate the Bribie Island Bridge.

TMR is in the process of a new four-week bridge testing program, with the results of the tests to determine if it’s safe to reopen both lanes of the bridge.

The underside of the Barron River bridge on the Kennedy Highway near Kuranda. Picture: Stewart McLean

Intermittent single lane operation has been in place since 2020 alongside heavy vehicle weight reductions in an ongoing struggle to keep the bridge open due to bridge faults caused by neglected maintenance schedules and a failure to replace corroded parts.

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Originally published as Premier makes pre-election $450m Kuranda bridge commitment