FNQ: Kennedy Highway (Cairns-Mareeba) - Nightworks trial to reduce delays for Barron River bridge maintenance

Source: Department of Transport and Main Roads

The November Barron River bridge inspection and maintenance program is moving to night works.

Under a trial, work hours will now coincide with the current scheduled night closure of the Kuranda Range Road, when there is least traffic on the Kennedy Highway. This should alleviate traffic delays for the majority of road users, especially during peak day time travel periods.

The quarterly maintenance and inspection program ensures the Barron River bridge remains safely in operation while we deliver a replacement structure.

During the trial, works are scheduled between 9pm and 4am each day between Monday 3 November and Friday 28 November.

Traffic management arrangements will stay the same, just moved to night-time hours:

• The bridge will operate as single lane over the four weeks between 9pm and 4am
• For the final two weeks (16-27 November) short, intermittent full closures will be needed. 

If the November trial is successful, we will consider a permanent shift to night works for the quarterly maintenance and inspection program.

Road users should note the Kennedy Highway will continue to be closed just east of Saddle Mountain Road from 9pm to 4am Sunday to Thursday (with the exception of the midnight traffic let-through) for the Kuranda Range Road Cyclone Jasper recovery works.

Access for local traffic between Saddle Mountain Road and Kuranda will be maintained at all times.