General News
15 January, 2025
Range, Cook highway works
RECONSTRUCTION works have started on the Kuranda Range road, with work on Captain Cook Highway to start soon, weather and site conditions permitting.
The Department of Main Roads and Transport is focussed on repairing priority routes: Kennedy Highway on the Kuranda Range, Palmerston Highway (see main story), Captain Cook Highway, Mossman-Mount Molloy Road and Mossman-Daintree Road.
Emergency works were completed in mid-2024 to ensure roads remained open. All work is on target to be completed by mid-2026, weather permitting.
A TMR spokesman said a significant amount of work had been carried out to develop the complex geotechnical solutions required to return the roads to pre-cyclone function. “This work has included geotechnical assessment, surveys, investigations and detailed designs,” he said.
“TMR is monitoring the damaged sites and has undertaken protective measures, where required, until permanent reconstruction works can be completed.
“Contracts have been awarded for the first four delivery packages”.
Work has started on three priority sites on the Kuranda Range road, including two which are currently under single lane traffic control.
The contract for the reconstruction works has been awarded to SEE Civil Pty Ltd.
The work restarted from last Monday, weather and site conditions permitting, and night closures resumed from Tuesday.
On the Captain Cook Highway, reconstruction works resumed last Wednesday at priority sites currently under traffic control between Ellis Beach and Oak Beach, pending weather and site conditions.
The contract for the reconstruction works has been awarded to Georgiou Group Pty Ltd and Koppens Development Pty Ltd Joint Venture.
Captain Cook Highway will remain open under single lane traffic control at several damaged sites over the holiday period.
On the Mossman-Mount Molloy Road (Rex Range) and Mossman-Daintree Road (Humbug Reach site) investigations, surveys and design works have progressed on damaged sites. Reconstruction works will start after the 2025 wet season.
TMR is monitoring the Humbug Reach site on Mossman-Daintree Road.
The contract for the reconstruction works has been awarded to Albem Operations Pty Ltd and Highway Constructions Pty Ltd Joint Venture.
