Cairns Western Arterial Road, upgrade strategy, planning

The department is conducting a planning study for the Cairns Western Arterial Road to identify future upgrades that will improve safety, capacity, and transport efficiency. The study area spans the entire length of the Cairns Western Arterial Road, from the Captain Cook Highway to Mulgrave Road, and includes the proposed Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 6), Earlville Bypass.

Benefits

• Improves safety
• Increases capacity
• Improves network efficiency
• Increases traffic flow
• Reduces peak hour congestion
• Accessibility
• Reduces travel time
• Contributes to economy
• Contributes to regional growth
• Better active transport

Key features

• Assess the current network
• Consider current and future transport needs
• Identify key locations for improvements
• Develop a short, medium and long term plan for infrastructure upgrades

Funding

The Cairns Western Arterial Road, upgrade strategy, planning project is fully funded by the Queensland Government.

Investment ID: 1496643

Current status

Planning is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

Community engagement

Community engagement was conducted from March to April 2025 to gather feedback on safety concerns and upgrade priorities. Activities included:

• an online survey
• an interactive map for feedback.
• Three information sessions at local shopping centres.

Feedback about Cairns Western Arterial Road

• congestion, safety, and traffic volumes were ranked as the most important concerns by respondents
• safety concerns at intersections, opportunities to reduce traffic congestion, and the importance of completing the duplication of the remaining single-lane sections on the road were provided
• key intersections identified for upgrades were from Pease Street to the Captain Cook Highway to improve safety, particularly at Ramsey Drive/The Gateway intersection
• improvements to bike riding and walking links were suggested at various locations.

Feedback about the proposed Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 6), Earlville Bypass

• many respondents were supportive or strongly supportive of the proposed Earlville Bypass
• 83 per cent of respondents agreed the proposed Earlville Bypass would reduce the number of heavy vehicles on Mulgrave Road through Earlville
• 66 per cent of respondents agreed the proposed Earlville Bypass would improve safety on Mulgrave Road through Earlville
• 81 per cent of respondents agreed the proposed Earlville Bypass would reduce travel time
• 69 per cent of respondents agreed the proposed Earlville Bypass would reduce noise, vibration, and air pollution in the area
• suggestions to the alignment, connecting intersections, and infrastructure were provided.

Community feedback will be considered as the planning progresses.

Detailed design and construction of any identified upgrades are currently unfunded.

Project location map