The preferred alignment for the 10km duplication of the Bruce Highway between Edmonton and Gordonvale has been released, paving the way for Stage 3 of the Cairns Southern Access Corridor to begin.

Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said the $481 million duplication would cater for future population growth and increasing demand on the road network.

“It’s expected that the Edmonton to Gordonvale section of the Bruce Highway will be used by about 40,000 road users daily when the works are completed, and I have no doubt they’ll be very well-received by commuters travelling through far north Queensland,” he said.

“When finished, it’s expected that the project will boost safety and reduce travel times on this section of the Bruce Highway.”

Queensland Treasurer and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt MP said the upgrade of the southern transport corridor was part of the Cairns Bruce Highway Master Plan.

“The Cairns Bruce Highway Upgrade Master Plan released in 2010, detailed the alignment of the Bruce Highway from Draper Street, near the Cairns City Centre, to Wrights Creek, south of Edmonton,” Mr Pitt said.

“This proposed alignment between Edmonton and Gordonvale will be an extension of the work already completed. Reduced traffic delays are already being experienced following completion of Stage 1 of the Cairns Bruce Highway Upgrade to the Cairns Southern Access, between Sheehy Road and Ray Jones Drive.

“We see this as a priority project; every dollar spent on improving the Bruce Highway means more jobs are created to support locals, their families and the Far North Queensland economy.”

The Australian Government has committed up to $384.8 million towards the $481 million project, with the Queensland Government providing the remaining $96.2 million.