Smithfield bypass funding falls short: Cairns needs a top-up

The $152 million Smithfield bypass budget has run short amid warnings of chaotic gridlock unless money is found to finish the job. ROAD DESIGN REVEALED

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THE $152 million Smithfield bypass budget has run short amid warnings of chaotic gridlock unless money is found to finish the job.

Fortunately there is plenty of time before the projected late-2021 completion date, and Barron River MP Craig Crawford is confident he can secure extra funding with time to spare.

The Cairns Post can today exclusively reveal details of the new preliminary design for the 3.8km road linking the Trinity Beach and Smithfield roundabouts through what is mostly sugarcane farming land.

DISCOVER ALL THE BENEFITS OF YOUR CAIRNS POST SUBSCRIPTION

The project will include a flyover at the McGregor Rd roundabout, new pedestrian and cycling paths, a bridge over Avondale Creek and traffic lights where the bypass meets the Captain Cook Hwy and the Western Arterial Rd.

However, there is a glaring omission, with the budget not extending far enough to duplicate the road through to Caravonica State School, or upgrade the Skyrail Drive intersection.

The new design for the Smithfield bypass reveals there is not enough money to duplicate the final approximately 200m stretch of road from about the Caravonica State School onwards, meaning more funds will be needed to avoid massive bottlenecks and considerable traffic issues for Skyrail and Tjapukai. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Mr Crawford said flood mitigation costs and other expensive works were stacking up and it was “up to the minister and myself” to secure more funds to avoid having an insurmountable 200m stretch of bottlenecked traffic.

“It will be annoying and confusing, not only for motorists but also tourists and buses trying to get in and out of the Skyrail and Tjapukai area,” he said.

Mr Crawford hoped the government would bring forward funding already planned for the Western Arterial Rd to ensure the work was done.

“If we don’t, it’s going to create chaos and mayhem at that area just outside Skyrail for sure,” he said.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway managing director Craig Pocock had faith the matter would be resolved.

“Yes, if it does go ahead in its current form it is going to be disastrous, basically,” he said.

“Craig (Crawford) has certainly taken the matter very seriously and is aware of the impact it will have on this commercial precinct if they get it wrong.

“To his credit, he has been lobbying very strongly on our behalf.”

READ MORE: WHAT SMITHFIELD BYPASS WORKS HAVE HAPPENED SO FAR

BAILEY OPENING

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk will be in Cairns to meet Crystalbrook Collection developer Ghassan Aboud as he celebrates the opening of his new $120 million Bailey hotel at a special invite-only event tonight.

Mr Aboud will today have his first visit to the completed Collection hotel.

Originally published as Smithfield bypass funding falls short: Cairns needs a top-up