FNQ: Kennedy Highway - Kuranda Range Road Update
Source: Department of Transport and Main Roads (27.02.25)
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) advises road users night closures are scheduled to continue until late March 2025.
Closures allow reconstruction to continue at priority sites. Works will also be undertaken to repair roads and drainage structures affected by the recent heavy rain.
- Closures are from 9pm to 4am.
- Traffic let throughs are at 12am (midnight).
- No night closures are scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights.
- Night closures will run for the duration of March, weather and construction conditions permitting.
In mid-March 2025, TMR will provide further advice regarding night closures, the ongoing program of works and construction impacts.
Some of the works
Installation of soil nails and steel reinforced geomat/mesh have concluded on the upslopes at Site 1, downhill from Henry Ross Lookout on Kuranda Range Road.
A hydromulch was applied ahead off mesh installation and the revegetation process will happen gradually as the native seed mix germinates and grows through the mesh. The cassia species selected for the mix are height appropriate for the roadside site and will help encourage the gradual regrowth of the surrounding native plant species.
Traffic let throughs
Traffic let throughs will occur for both top and bottom of the range at 12am (midnight).
Road users must be in the queue by the let through time as traffic will only be let through once in each direction for as long as it takes to clear the queued vehicles, then the road will close again until the next opening time.
TMR thanks road users for their continued feedback and patience during the reconstruction works.
Safety Reminders
- Obey red light signals at work sites. Running red lights is dangerous to other road users and our crews.
- Doing so causes significant delays to other road users as traffic controllers work to mitigate the hazards caused by drivers who commit this offence.
- TMR is reporting offenders to Queensland Police Service.
Frequently asked questions
Why isn't TMR fixing the 'big landslip' under single lane conditions first?
TMR has over 30 landslips along the Kennedy Highway, most of which are on the Kuranda Range Road.
Emergency works at the beginning of 2024 stabilised the sites that have remained under single lane traffic control enabling the road to be used safely while further reconstruction works are completed.
Slope stabilisation works are a complex and important part of TMR's reconstruction efforts and certain sites may be prioritised based on constructability, safety, weather limitations or in an effort to complete reconstruction in a way that reduces the time spent in queues for road users.
Why were there no works on site until just before the wet season?
TMR acknowledges that the pace of the reconstruction program has been slower than the community would like, however, the work is highly complex, requiring specialised skills and equipment and significant resources.
Given the extent of damage on Kuranda Range Road, all the other range roads, and the Captain Cook Highway, planning, designing, procurement and acquiring suitably qualified contractors for a large range of geotechnical solutions were just part of the extensive behind-the-scenes works that had to be completed ahead of construction.
What can I expect driving through work sites?
Changed traffic conditions including reduced speed limits, single lane closures and manual and long-term traffic control will be in place for the duration of the works.
Variable Message Signs (VMS) will be in place on the approaches to the work sites to ensure motorists are aware of the changed traffic conditions.
Where do I find more information?
If you need further information about these works, please contact the TMR Cairns office by email at cairns.office@tmr.qld.gov.au, visit the project webpage Kuranda Range Road 2023 cyclone reconstruction works | Department of Transport and Main Roads or telephone 1800 187 937.
For up-to-date information about the state-controlled road network, please check the QLDTraffic website or call 13 19 40.
