Barron River bridge upgrade
Road Connectivity
An integrated and efficient road transport network is critical for economic stability and growth in Far North Queensland, a region of 380,000km² which includes some of the nation’s most remote communities. The region’s inland roads and Cairns’ access to the northern beaches and Tablelands play a vital role in enabling the productivity of northern Australia and the contribution to the national economy through improved connectivity to southern markets. The disruption and dislocation to these road networks in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper have underpinned the importance of these links to the region and indeed, to the nation. Growth in population, employment, tourism and freight volumes coupled with the increasing importance of food security, means safety and capacity requirements will only be exacerbated. Investment in FNQ’s road connectivity is crucial to avoid nationally significant productivity losses, to connect rural and remote communities and to ensure continued regional and state economic development.
The road networks linking Cairns with the vital agricultural, mining and tourism regions of the Atherton Tablelands and beyond are critical enablers of the regional economy. With sizeable growth in both agriculture and mining in the region predicted in the next decade, a safe and reliable road network that enables increased heavy vehicle traffic is vital for economic growth and prosperity in the region. The road network in and out of Cairns acts as the main distribution hub for the region and is essential for further developing the agricultural and mining exports of the region. However, the growing demands for freight and increasing frequency of severe weather events, has strained the existing infrastructure, impacting transport costs and service levels across the supply chain.
There are other impediments to a safe and efficient transport corridor with the Barron River Bridge (Kennedy Highway at Kuranda) limited to 50.5 tonnes and single lane traffic due to concerns over its safety and stability. The business case is currently underway to identify a preferred long-term solution – either rehabilitating or replacing the bridge.
The Queensland Labor Government have made an election commitment of $450m to deliver a new bridge over the Barron River at Kuranda Range with construction to be complete by 2031.
The government must prioritise delivery of the new Barron River Bridge, ensuring construction is complete sooner, by 2029 rather than out to 2031.
Benefits to the region
• Enhance productivity.
• Improve environmental sustainability of the bridge.
• Improve and ensure a resilient regional freight network.
• Improve safety and security.
Recommendation
Queensland Government
1. Ensures the Barron River Bridge detailed cost estimate and business case is completed by the end of 2024 – in accordance with current timelines identified; and
2. Commits to the accelerated delivery of the new Barron River Bridge, ensuring construction is complete by 2029 rather than out to 2031.
Overview
There are other impediments to a safe and efficient transport corridor with the Barron River Bridge (Kennedy Highway at Kuranda) limited to 50.5 tonnes and single lane traffic due to concerns over its safety and stability. The business case is currently underway to identify a preferred long-term solution – either rehabilitating or replacing the bridge[i]. The Queensland Labor Government have made an election commitment of $450m to deliver a new bridge over the Barron River at Kuranda Range with construction to be complete by 2031.
The government must prioritise delivery of the new Barron River Bridge, ensuring construction is complete sooner, by 2029 rather than out to 2031. Not only will this ensure the safety of the community but will also address the critical need for improved network efficiency and connectivity, that currently impedes economic development. This accelerated delivery would also mitigate risks associated with the aging infrastructure in place, currently subject to intermittent single lane operations since 2020, in addition to heavy vehicle weight reductions.
[i] Department of Transport and Main Roads, Kennedy Highway (Cairns – Mareeba), Barron River bridge upgrade, planning, last updated October 30, 2023, https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/kennedy-highway-cairns-mareeba-barron-river-bridge-upgrade-planning
Last updated: September 2024
There are other impediments to a safe and efficient transport corridor with the Barron River Bridge (Kennedy Highway at Kuranda) limited to 50.5 tonnes and single lane traffic due to concerns over its safety and stability. The business case is currently underway to identify a preferred long-term solution – either rehabilitating or replacing the bridge.
The Queensland Labor Government have made an election commitment of $450m to deliver a new bridge over the Barron River at Kuranda Range with construction to be complete by 2031.
The government must prioritise delivery of the new Barron River Bridge, ensuring construction is complete sooner, by 2029 rather than out to 2031.
Benefits to the region
• Enhance productivity.
• Improve environmental sustainability of the bridge.
• Improve and ensure a resilient regional freight network.
• Improve safety and security.
Recommendation
Queensland Government
1. Ensures the Barron River Bridge detailed cost estimate and business case is completed by the end of 2024 – in accordance with current timelines identified; and
2. Commits to the accelerated delivery of the new Barron River Bridge, ensuring construction is complete by 2029 rather than out to 2031.
Overview
There are other impediments to a safe and efficient transport corridor with the Barron River Bridge (Kennedy Highway at Kuranda) limited to 50.5 tonnes and single lane traffic due to concerns over its safety and stability. The business case is currently underway to identify a preferred long-term solution – either rehabilitating or replacing the bridge[i]. The Queensland Labor Government have made an election commitment of $450m to deliver a new bridge over the Barron River at Kuranda Range with construction to be complete by 2031.
The government must prioritise delivery of the new Barron River Bridge, ensuring construction is complete sooner, by 2029 rather than out to 2031. Not only will this ensure the safety of the community but will also address the critical need for improved network efficiency and connectivity, that currently impedes economic development. This accelerated delivery would also mitigate risks associated with the aging infrastructure in place, currently subject to intermittent single lane operations since 2020, in addition to heavy vehicle weight reductions.
[i] Department of Transport and Main Roads, Kennedy Highway (Cairns – Mareeba), Barron River bridge upgrade, planning, last updated October 30, 2023, https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/kennedy-highway-cairns-mareeba-barron-river-bridge-upgrade-planning
Last updated: September 2024
Explore more
Kennedy Developmental Road
Reduces freight costs between FNQ and southern market, supporting the sustainability of primary production in northern Australia.
National Land Transport Network
Improved connectivity between Cairns and the region’s agricultural production hubs on the Atherton Tablelands.
Savannah Way (Gulf Section)
Improved safety and resilience, and regional connectivity particularly in isolated
and remote communities.
