Today in Cairns: CBD traffic lights out, bridges at Julatten and Cape York shut due to flooding

A pedestrian has been rushed to hospital with serious head injuries after being hit by a car in the Cairns CBD. Plus catch up on the latest news, weather and events across the region today.

G’day Far Northerners, here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening across the region today, Thursday, February 11.

HEADLINES

Teen cyclist killed in horror Cairns crash

‘Not going to bring Michael back’: Family’s battle after tradie’s death

SEVEN DEAD DOGS: Cairns family’s shameful secret revealed

‘These are people too’: Mayor responds to youth crime plan

‘This is pretty experimental’: Cairns exporter gambles on new market

Drivers endure gridlock as TMR fixes bypass ‘sequencing ­issues’

‘Knew it wouldn’t last’: Wet season wrecks key Far North road link

LATEST NEWS

Car hits pedestrian

A pedestrian has been rushed to hospital with serious head injuries after being hit by a car in the Cairns CBD.

Paramedics took the patient to Cairns Hospital following the collision at the intersection of Sheridan and Minnie streets at 6.55pm on Wednesday,

A critical care paramedic was on board in the ambulance.

Electric shock from washing machine

A woman in her 20s was taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition after reportedly sustaining an electric shock from a washing machine at a Parramatta Park home about 6.45pm on Wednesday.

Traffic lights out

The traffic lights at the intersection of Sheridan St and Aplin St are flashing amber this morning, the Department of Transport and Main Roads has advised.

Delays are expected in all directions and motorists are urged to proceed with caution.

Bridge closures

Mossman Mt Molloy Rd has been closed in both directions at the Bushy Creek Bridge due to flooding.

Motorists have been warned to expect delays and not to drive in floodwaters.

Queensland Traffic also issued an alert at 5.44am saying Endeavour Battlecamp Rd between Laura and Cooktown had been blocked due to damage to a bridge or culvert.

A boat in close to Holloways Beach shore fishing at the peak of an earlier king tide. Picture: Stewart McLean

King tide warning

King tides will be experienced in Cairns today and Friday.

King tide levels for Cairns are expected at the following times (other areas may vary):

• Thursday: 3.28m at 9.31am

• Friday: 3.19m at 10.01am

Avoid parking cars in low-lying tidal areas and never drive through floodwaters.

Motorists are reminded that tidal flooding is saltwater, which can damage cars on contact.

Motorists are urged to drive carefully and slowly, not only for the safety of road users and pedestrians, but to lessen the impact of bow waves, which can push water into adjacent properties.

Cairns Regional Council advises that traffic controls and detours will be in place where roads are inundated by tidal floodwaters.

Cairns is currently experiencing a mixture of sunny weather and also cloudy and rainy skies. Sarah Castini, Tatum Castini, 2, Amarni Castini, 4 months, and Zehnyn Castini from Gordonvale took a dip in the Esplanade lagoon to cool off from the hot and humid weather. Picture: Brendan Radke

WEATHER

The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting a partly cloudy Thursday with a 70 per cent chance of showers. Light winds will become easterly at 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then will become light in the evening.

Cairns is heading for a top temperature of 31C after an overnight minium of 24C.

Around the region

Cairns: Shower or two 24-31C

Atherton: Shower or two 20-27C

Cardwell: Shower or two 24-30C

Cooktown: Shower or two 24-31C

Innisfail: Shower or two 24-30C

Mareeba: Shower or two 22-29C

TRAFFIC

Bungalow

A speed reduction is in force on Mulgrave Road at Bungalow due to culvert damage near Brown Street.

Access across culvert in both directions along Mulgrave Road and Brown Street intersection is restricted to vehicles that comply with the general mass and concessional mass limits.

Barrine/Lake Barrine

Gillies Range Road: Pavement and culvert works. All lanes affected in both directions. Delays expected (during active hours) and allow extra travel time. Expected completion on March 1, 2021.

Barron/Smithfield/Yorkeys Knob

Construction of the Smithfield Bypass project, which is to be completed in December 2021, could result in some delays during active construction hours. The project will construct a new 3.8km bypass between the McGregor Road roundabout and the Cairns Western Arterial Road and Captain Cook Highway roundabout as an alternative route to the Captain Cook Highway.

Construction works on the Smithfield Bypass. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cooktown/Laura

Endeavour Battlecamp Road is subjected to a five-tonne GVM limit due to road damage. All directions are affected.

Edmonton/Gordonvale

Roadworks are being carried out on the Bruce Highway — Cairns Southern Access Corridor — Stage 3: Edmonton to Gordonvale. Delays expected (during active hours of work), with all lanes in both directions affected. The work is expected to run until June 30, 2023.

Innot Hot Springs/Minnamoolka

All lanes of Gunnawarra Road in all directions are affected due to slippery surface. Motorists are urged to observe signage.

Kamerunga/Redlynch

Construction on an upgrade of the Cairns Western Arterial Road/Harley St intersection begun last week and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2021.

Motorists should expect all lanes of traffic affected by delays during active construction hours, in all directions. Please allow extra travel time.

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

Kuranda

Barron River Bridge on the Kennedy Highway reduced to one lane. Restricted to vehicles that comply with general mass limits. Partial lane closures. Both directions affected and delays expected. Allow extra travel time.

Lake Eacham

Wrights Creek Road is closed to all traffic. Motorists are advised to use an alternative route.

The next road inspection will take place on November 11, 2021.

Mighell

Both southbound lanes on the Bruce Highway at Eslick Street are affected due to pot holes. No delays expected. Motorists urged to proceed with caution.

Mount Garnet

Adverse driving conditions have been reported on Brownville Road at Mount Garnet due to slippery surface. All lanes in all directions affected. Next road inspection on September 27, 2021.

Portsmith/Woree

This is due to Cairns Southern Access Stage 4 and works will be carried out until December 24, 2021. A new bypass of the Captain Cook Hwy will be constructed between McGregor Rd and Cairns Western Arterial Rd roundabouts providing motorists an alternative route to the Cook Hwy. Delays are expected during active hours in both directions.

The roundabout at the intersection of Kenny Street and Draper Street (near Bunnings) started operating as a four legged intersection with traffic lights in place in November last year. Picture: Stewart McLean

Stewart Creek Valley

All lanes on Douglas Creek Road are subjected to a five-tonne gross vehicle mass limit. No delays are expected with the next road inspection set for December 17, 2021.

Tarzali

Road damage hazard due to earlier flooding on Hitchconole Road. All lanes in all directions affected. Motorists urged to observe signage. Next road inspection on February 22.

Cape Tribulation Road subject to a 15 tonne GVM limit due to saturated pavements. Both directions, no delays expected. Use alternative route.

Wangetti

Slop stabilisation works on the Captain Cook Highway. Both directions affected and delays expected during active hours. Proceed with caution.

WHAT’S ON

Services, venues and facilities

All Cairns libraries branches

Muddy’s Playground (wet and dry areas)

Centenary Lakes Nature Play

Fun Ship playground

Bouldering Park

Botanic Gardens Conservatory

Barlow Park (open for casual athletics only)

Outdoor gym equipment

Public basketball courts

Public tennis courts

Lake Morris recreation area

Playgrounds, skate parks and bump tracks

Green Space Our Place program

Pools

Tobruk Memorial Pool, Smithfield, Woree and Gordonvale pools have opened but are limited to 100 people at a time and coronavirus measures, including social distancing.

Wayne Fielder and his daughter Maddy, 13, at the Cairns International Tennis Centre. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

TODAY’S EVENTS

Machans Beach Cleanup

Join Parley for a morning clean-up of Redden Island!

For more information and to register, please follow the link.

WHERE: Cinderella St, Machans Beach

WHEN: 8.30 – 11.30am

COST: Free

Parley clean up crew with rubbish removed from a beach.

Free Active Living Fitness

Learn the basics of Pilates at the Fogarty Park soundshell at 6:30am on Thursday mornings. Please bring water, a towel and/or mat.

Update: Participants are required to sign in electronically with a mobile device via a QR code. Assistance is available if need be.

WHERE: Cairns Esplanade

WHEN: 6.30 – 7.30am

COST: Free

Advanced Junior Track Squad

1.5 hrs training for advanced juniors following a set program by AusCycling Queensland (Junior Emerging Track Squad). Includes training, tactics, theory, and more. Participants must have their own bike.

WHERE: Smith Park Cycledrome

WHEN: 12pm

COST: Free

Originally published as Today in Cairns: CBD traffic lights out, bridges at Julatten and Cape York shut due to flooding