Active Transport Improvements in Queensland Road Upgrades
Cairns, Queensland
Active transport corridors have been incorporated into several Queensland main road projects open for public comment or outlined in recently-released project masterplans.
Recently announcements and updates by the Queensland Government for road upgrades in Cairns, the Sunshine Coast, Bribie Island and the Gold Coast have all included improvements to active transport infrastructure.
A masterplan to upgrade Captain Cook Highway between Cairns and Smithfield includes active transport links in its Stage 1 project to widen the road to six lanes.
The preliminary master plan also incorporates a two-way cycleway from Arnold Street, connecting to the shared pathway constructed as part of the Smithfield Bypass project, providing improved access to the active transport wider network. The new cycleway will also connect to the existing Aeroglen-to-CBD cycleway, part of the Cairns Principal Cycle Network.
The community has been invited to comment on the masterplan before 28 February, with the masterplan scheduled to be completed by mid to late 2023.
Bribie Island Bridge
Public feedback has also been invited on plan for a new Bribie Island bridge.
“With more foot, bike and vehicle traffic using the bridge, it’s clear we need to improve access to and from Bribie Island,” Local Member Ali King said.
The Member for Pumicestone said planning for the business case will consider opportunities to retain the existing bridge and add a new, two-lane bridge with improved pedestrian and bike rider facilities.
Community consultation is open until 27 February 2023. Feedback will help develop a concept design to provide four lanes across Pumicestone Passage and consider the future of the existing bridge.
The concept design will be presented for further community comment in 2023.
Bike Storage at Pimpama Train Station
A new train station at the Gold Coast suburb of Pimpama will include a 40-bike lock-up enclosure, as well as connections to nearby cycle paths.
A 10km upgrade of the Sunshine Motorway, on the Sunshine Coast, will include a new active transport connection linking Pacific Paradise to Coolum Beach.
Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt said: “We know that, on average, every dollar we invest in bike-riding infrastructure will return nearly five dollars in economic benefit to Queensland in improved health outcomes, reduced traffic congestion and lower transport costs.
Public consultation on the new station closes on 26 February.