Captain Cook Highway, Smithfield Bypass
The Smithfield Bypass is now open to motorists, providing vital infrastructure for the northern beaches of Cairns. The bypass meets current and future strategic transport needs of the area—providing a safer, more efficient travel route for motorists and industry.
The new bypass has reduced congestion on the existing Captain Cook Highway (CCH) between McGregor Road and Cairns Western Arterial Road (CWAR), by removing through-traffic from the local road network. In particular, the bypass has improved access for nearby roads (such as the Kennedy Highway) by reducing congestion at the Smithfield roundabout.
The new 4-legged signalised intersection of CCH and CWAR allows for active control of traffic flow in peak periods and improves whole-of-network functionality.
CWAR, between the CCH and traffic signals at Caravonica State School, was upgraded to 4 lanes, including new traffic signals at the Skyrail Drive intersection.
The Smithfield Bypass is now the Captain Cook Highway.
Kudakai Crossland Connection
The existing CCH between CWAR and the McGregor Road roundabout through Smithfield was renamed Kudakai Crossland Connection, after a public consultation process including Traditional Owners.
The new name represents the rich Aboriginal culture and language of the area, and early European history.
Kudakai is an Indigenous word common to the Yirrganydji People and Tjapukai People, referring to the native Leichhardt tree which grows along the banks of Avondale Creek. The tree is a traditional source of food and medicine.
Crossland holds historical significance referring to Edwin (Ned) Crossland who was a blacksmith in Bill Smith's team—the first European settlers to cross the Kuranda Range and establish a settlement in Smithfield.
Thank you to everyone who submitted suggestions for names.
Benefits
- Improves safety
- Increases capacity
- Improves network efficiency
- Increases traffic flow
- Reduces peak hour congestion
- Reduces travel time
- Contributes to regional growth
- Better active transport
Key features
- The new 4-legged signalised intersection of CCH and CWAR has increased capacity by allowing extra lanes and active control in peak times.
- Two major bridges at Avondale Creek, Unnamed Road and 5 major culverts provide improved flood immunity for motorists.
- The 2-lane, 3.8km bypass directly connecting CWAR and the CCH at McGregor Road removes through traffic from the Smithfield local road network.
- A new overpass bridge at McGregor Road roundabout.
- Merge and diverge lanes north of McGregor Road roundabout provide motorists access to the bypass.
- The upgrade of CWAR to 4 lanes between the CCH/CWAR intersection and Caravonica State School.
- Traffic signals at the Skyrail Drive intersection.
- An off-road shared pathway from the CCH/CWAR intersection to McGregor Road roundabout to support the active transport community.
- On-off ramps at Unnamed Road.
Funding
The project is solely funded by the Queensland Government. QTRIP investment ID 538017
- Total investment
- $164 million
- Queensland Government
- $164 million
Flythrough video
Tree planting
Empowering Indigenous trainees
Headstock installation time-lapse
Enhancing habitat connectivity
Current status
The Smithfield Bypass opened in November 2021.