General News
10 March, 2024
Kuranda Range road night closures return
LANDSLIPS continue to plaque the Kuranda Range Road and, now the critical road corridor to the coast will close every night at 9pm until 15 March so some repairs can be made.
The road was closed for five consecutive days following Cyclone Jasper, with 35 landslips recorded, one that has almost wiped out one lane of the highway.
Main Roads closed the road overnight in early January to start repairing it, but heavy rain since that time has been bringing down more mud and rocks. Recent inspections have showed that further slips have occurred in the section currently under single-lane operation.
Now, Main Roads will shut it again from 9am to 4am until 15 March to undertake stabilisation of some of the landslips.
The emergency works will involve soil nailing and shotcreting (spraying concrete) which will temporarily stabilise the slope to prevent further damage to the road and to ensure safety for road users.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish said that although inconvenient, the emergency works were vital to ensuring the safety of commuters.
“Safety is our number one priority. I understand that closing the road is inconvenient, and we wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t absolutely necessary,” he said.
“I’d like to thank road users for their patience while we carry out these important emergency works.”
