New Smithfield bypass divides Cairns drivers

Four years since it received $164m funding, the Smithfield Bypass is finally up and running but Cairns drivers seem to either love or hate the new single lane road.

A TIME saver or a massive waste of money, Cairns residents appear divided about if the single lane $164m Smithfield Bypass was worth the cost.

Cairns Police warned that the bypass will be closed to motorists from 8pm on Saturday until 8pm on Sunday as the Department of Transport and Main Roads are inviting the community to join in celebrating the completion of the project.

Celebrations will include a sausage sizzle, coffee or ice cream and military vehicles and classic cars will be on display.

On Friday morning The Cairns Post timed the bypass road run at 7.40am between Trinity Beach roundabout and the new traffic lights on the Captain Cook Highway near Caravonica and found it took four minutes and 59 seconds.

After four years and $164m, the Smithfield Bypass finally opened to traffic on Thursday and drivers were able to take the northern end of the bypass, with the flyover and on ramps and off ramps near McGregor Rd. Picture: Brendan Radke

From Trinity Beach to the lights at the airport turn-off in the city took 13 minutes all up.

According to the driver, “this is an amazing run, prior to the bypass, sometimes the run between Trinity Beach and Caravonica could take 20 minutes alone.”

Kewarra Beach resident Claire Mail said she drove the bypass road on Friday morning after dropping her children at school.

“It was on the tail end of peak hour and I loved it,” she said.

“The only minor issues would be being single lane (each way), if people drive 60km/h instead of 80km/h it can slow things down a bit.

“But other than that I think it’s really made a difference.”

However, Cairns Taxis fleet manager Chris Balsom said he hoped the newly opened road will be a big win for their customers and drivers.

“I do believe it will be beneficial for shortening the trip to the northern beaches and making trips more effective for the people who live out there,” he said.

“Our drivers will be more efficient as they won’t be stuck in traffic for as long which is good as we are always looking at minimising wait times.”

But some Cairns Post readers took to social media to voice their displeasure of the long awaited highway upgrade being one lane only.

Damien Beech said it “wasn’t exactly like that on the way home this afternoon. Double lanes off the highway turning directly into a merge point caused some havoc. Barely got above 50km/h on the bypass. It’s an improvement, but a $164m improvement is questionable. Should have been double lanes the whole way, it will be required in 12 months when all the new housing opens up in Smithfield village.”

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Lisa Belgrave said: “Now to fix up the real problem areas like Aeroglen, the stretch from Caravonica school up to Harley St (only certain patches completed north of Harley St), the intersection at Loridan Drive, just for starters.”

Michael Bulling said: “It will be interesting to see how it performs. Not very well I expect. Southern end comes in at traffic lights where the roundabout next to the Skysail terminal used to be. Still have all the slow points like the school crossing 40 km/h limit as you enter the city.”

Originally published as New Smithfield bypass divides Cairns drivers