Road Conditions FNQ: Kuranda Range Road - Reconstruction works start 18 November 2024
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) will start reconstruction works from 18 November 2024 on Kuranda Range Road at locations damaged during Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
To minimise the impact on motorists, most of the work will be carried out at night, between 7pm and 5am. Some work may be required during the day.
Night closures from Sunday 24 November to Friday 6 December
Road closures will be in place nightly with the range closing at 9pm and reopening at 4am from Sunday 24 November to Friday 6 December.
No scheduled closures will occur on Friday or Saturday nights for the duration of the night closures.
Traffic will be let through from the top of Kuranda Range Road at 11:30pm and from the bottom (Smithfield) at midnight.
Road users should be in the queue by these times 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 in that direction until 4am.
What work is taking place?
Assessments have identified more than 30 landslips that require upslope and downslope reconstruction works.
A variety of geotechnical controls will be delivered to stabilise the sites.
Works are commencing on three high priority sites, including two that are currently under single lane traffic control for safety as a result of damage from Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
What works have been delivered?
The initial works that took place in the months after the disaster were emergency works to stabilise damaged slopes to ensure Kuranda Range Road could remain safe and open.
Given the extent and severity of the damage caused, extensive work has also been completed to prepare the required geotechnical solutions, including site surveys, geotechnical inspections, planning detailed design and engaging contractors to undertake the reconstruction works.
How long will it take to fully restore Kuranda Range Road to two lanes?
Due to the severity of the damage on the Kuranda Range Road and across multiple Far North Queensland state-controlled roads, repairs will take some time.
Following the completion of extensive geotechnical investigations and significant work on detailed design, the reconstruction contract has been awarded and the first works will commence in November 2024. All works are targeted to be completed by mid-2026.
TMR will coordinate any temporary road closures to minimise impacts to road users as much as possible across the region.
Why weren’t there any visible works on the range for months after the initial emergency repairs?
Since the completion of the emergency repair phase, works including ongoing surveying and geotechnical inspections, planning, detailed design and engaging contractors through a tender and contract award process, were carried out.
This takes a considerable amount of time given there are more than 30 sites requiring engineering solutions on the Kuranda Range Road in addition to other high priority sites along other important state-controlled roads.
TMR completed the pre-reconstruction requirements for Kuranda Range Road in approximately 11 months. While this timeframe may seem long, for planned major construction projects, these tasks would typically take two to three years.
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.
Changes in dates due to poor weather will be posted on the VMS.
TMR thanks motorists for their patience and cooperation as this significant program of works is delivered.
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 Far North Queensland 2024 cyclone reconstruction works | Department of Transport and Main Roads or telephone 1800 187 937.
For updates on traffic conditions, call 131940.
The recovery works are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
