FNQ: Kuranda Range Road, Kennedy Highway - Reconstruction Update
Source: Department of Transport and Main Roads (17.03.2025)
Reconstruction Update - Night closure to continue until end of 2025
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is continuing essential geotechnical repairs to stabilise more than 30 landslip sites that were damaged during Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
TMR plans to undertake reconstruction of more than 15 sites in 2025, with the remainder of sites to follow in 2026.
This will require a significant program of night works and scheduled closures until the end of 2025.
The work is being delivered at night to minimise disruption to road users.
The complexity of the geotechnical repairs and limited space within the road corridor means night closures are required for the safety of road workers and motorists.
TMR will provide updates to road users every month based on the progress of works and/or where a change in site conditions and traffic management is required.
Traffic Control
- Scheduled night closures from 9pm to 4am will be ongoing from April to December 2025, weather and site conditions permitting.
- Traffic will be let through once in each direction at midnight (12am).
- There are no scheduled night closures on Friday and Saturday nights.
- There are no scheduled night closures over the Easter period, from Thursday, 17 April to Monday, 21 April (inclusive).
- There will be up to three active work sites open at any one time.
Reconstruction - status of works
Site 1 (multiple slips)
Downslope slip, below Henry Ross Lookout
- Clearing and excavation works scheduled to start this month.
- Soil nailing to start, pending progress of the clearing and weather conditions.
Site 2 (upslope slip)
Upslope slip, 300m above Henry Ross Lookout
- Soil nailing works are complete.
- Mesh installation will be completed this month.
- Minor clean-up works scheduled in March will conclude reconstruction of this site.
Site 3 (multiple slips)
Streets Creek area
- Additional soil nailing and shotcrete works have been completed to stabilise the embankment.
- Once there is a period of prolonged favourable weather, rockfill embankment works will commence, likely later in March.
Frequently asked questions
Why are the works taking so long?
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, 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.
Why does the range need to be closed at night for the remainder of 2025?
The complexity of the geotechnical repairs and limited space within the road corridor means night closures are required for the safety of road workers and motorists.
Undertaking works at night will limit the overall disruption to daytime traffic, maintaining the current travel times of up to ten minutes delay.
TMR’s contractors can work on significantly more geotechnical sites at the one time with the road closed.
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 Far North Queensland 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.
