The department is carrying out a planning study which will identify future upgrades to the Cairns Western Arterial Road. The project will examine strategic connections to the Cairns Western Arterial Road, including the proposed Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 6), Earlville Bypass.
The study will identify options for upgrades to Cairns Western Arterial Road over the short, medium and long term to improve safety, reliability, capacity and transport efficiency.
The upgrade strategy will provide a prioritised program of future infrastructure upgrades aligned with future transport needs and growing traffic demand.
Detailed planning and construction of any identified upgrades for the Cairns Western Arterial Road and the proposed Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 6), Earlville Bypass are currently unfunded.
The Cairns Western Arterial Road, upgrade strategy, planning project is fully funded by the Queensland Government.
Investment ID: 1496643
We are currently undertaking the study and would like your feedback about future upgrades on Cairns Western Arterial Road.
Last updated: 11 March 2025
The Cairns Bruce Highway Upgrade master plan was released in 2010. It was the result of a planning study that investigated long term, multi-modal transport planning options to address the impacts of urban growth, congestion and traffic accidents.
The department is undertaking a $300 million project to duplicate the Cairns Western Arterial Road between Redlynch Connector Road and Captain Cook Highway.
By 2046, the Cairns local government area is expected to increase by approximately 59,000 residents. In addition to the substantial visitor numbers in the region, this significant residential growth will have an impact on the safety, efficiency and accessibility of the Cairns urban transport network.
Taking a holistic approach to the planning of this expected growth will ensure a sustainable, efficient and accessible transport network in the region.
Cairns Transit Network is the first busway planning project of its kind in regional Queensland. It will improve public transport in Cairns by giving buses priority, either in separate bus lanes or on dedicated bus-only lanes (busways) which will be separated from general traffic.
