NIGHT WORKS: Captain Cook Highway to close late evenings until July for nightworks - get the full closure guide here

REPAIR WORKS

Michael Warren

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The Captain Cook Highway will be closed over the coming weeks and months at night so important repair works can take place along the Highway. Picture: TMR

Just moments ago TMR officially confirmed the Captain Cook Highway between Port Douglas and Cairns will undergo night works to expedite repairs along the highway in the wake of the damage incurred by Jasper and the heavy rainfall. 

See below for the full statement.

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The Captain Cook Highway will undergo night works over the coming weeks and months with he Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) confirming a section between Rex Lookout and Turtle Cove, Wangetti, will be closed to traffic at night from Wednesday, May 15 until late July.

(TMR) will carry out critical works between Rex Lookout and Turtle Cove, Wangetti, in preparation for permanent repair works.

Several sections of the Captain Cook Highway received significant damage following rainfall associated with Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023.

TMR understands the importance of this vital route and these decisions have been made after engagement and consultation with community members.

Feedback from stakeholders has allowed us to arrange for scheduled traffic let throughs and to ensure that no night works will occur on the following dates:

  • Friday, May 24 to Sunday May 26 – Road will remain open for Port Douglas Carnivale
  • Saturday, June 1
  • Saturday,  June 8
  • Saturday, June 15 – Road will remain open to allow access ahead of the Ironman event.
  • Sunday, June 16 – Changed traffic conditions and closures will be in place. For more information on these see the Ironman website – Works will resume Monday, June 17.
  • Saturday, June 22
  • Saturday, June 29
  • Saturday July 6

Due to the required heavy machinery and limited road width, full closures of this section of road will be necessary.

Full closures are scheduled for the nights of:

  • Sunday, May 19
  • Wednesday, May 29

On these nights, traffic cannot be let through.

TMR anticipates further full closure dates will be required. The dates of full closures are dependent on progress of works, weather, materials supply, and construction conditions. Road users should plan their journeys accordingly and seek an alternative route if travel at night is necessary.

Following the works, the Captain Cook Highway will remain single lane at various locations until permanent repair works can be carried out.

Investigations are continuing into long-term solutions for repairs to the Captain Cook Highway. TMR is prioritising the design, relevant approvals, and preparation of suitable construction methodologies for these recovery works.

The recovery works are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

“Our priority is to maintain safe access on the Captain Cook Highway for all road users,” Queensland Transport and Main Roads Regional Director, Ross Hodgman told Newsport.

“I understand that road closures are an inconvenience and encourage road users to plan ahead.

“The closures are necessary to safely carry out these critical works and I thank road users for their patience.

"We've thankfully been able to schedule works around events I know are important to the region's economy such as the Ironman and Port Douglas Carnivale."

What you need to know:

  • A section of Captain Cook Highway, between Rex Lookout and Turtle Cove, Wangetti, will be closed to traffic at night from Wednesday 15 May until late July, weather and construction conditions permitting.
  • This section of the highway will be closed between 9pm and 4am with traffic to be let through twice in each direction at 11pm and 1.30am on selected nights where works will allow.
  • Full closures are scheduled for the nights of Sunday May 19 and Monday May 20 when the scope of works cannot allow for traffic releases.

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