Road Conditions: Kennedy Highway (Cairns - Mareeba) Barron River Bridge

Information from Department of Transport and Main Roads

Testing and maintenance works Barron River bridge (Kuranda) 6 November - 1 December 2023

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) will continue testing and maintenance works on the Barron River bridge near Kuranda from Monday 6 November until Friday 1 December 2023, weather permitting. 

The works are part of an ongoing testing and maintenance program to ensure the bridge remains safe and operational while TMR progresses planning for a long-term solution to rehabilitate or replace the bridge.

Crews will be on site between 7am and 5pm (including Saturday and Sunday). Changed traffic conditions will be in place during the works, including a single-lane operation of the bridge. Traffic controllers will monitor queue lengths and working hours will be adjusted if required. From Monday 20 November until Friday 1 December 2023 short intermittent full closures of up to 10 minutes will be required between 9am and 3pm.

Variable message signs (VMS) will be in place to inform motorists about changed traffic conditions. Changes in dates will be posted on the VMS.

Motorists should expect minor delays and plan their journeys accordingly.

Thank you for your patience while we carry out these important works.

For further information, please contact the project team via 07 4045 7144 or by email at cairns.office@tmr.qld.gov.au.

Stay Connected

Phone: 07 4045 7144 |  cairns.office@tmr.qld.gov.au |  TMR.qld.gov.au/barronriverbridge 

Barron River Bridge Upgrade, Planning

Have your say on options for the Barron River Bridge 

Community consultation about two proposed options for Barron River bridge at Kuranda is now open.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is progressing as $8.98 million planning project to determine the best long-term solution for the Barron River bridge. 

Two potential options have been identified to accommodate future capacity needs, enhance safety for pedestrians and bike riders, facilitate heavy vehicle access, and minimise environmental impacts.

Have a look at the artist's impressions of the two options on TMR's website and provide your feedback. Your feedback will inform the planning study.

Consultation is open until 8 December 2023. The planning study is expected to be completed in late 2024.

For further information, please contact the project team via 07 4045 7144 or cairns.office@tmr.qld.gov.au.