General News
28 May, 2020
Bridge construction adds to traffic woes
Anzac Avenue will be closed at the John Doyle Bridge and changed traffic conditions will be in place via alternative routes.
Bridge construction adds to traffic woes
Mareeba Shire Council (MSC) has announced a change to traffic condition as work gets underway on the John Doyle Bridge.
Starting Friday, May 29, Anzac Avenue will be closed at the John Doyle Bridge and changed traffic conditions will be in place via alternative routes.
The project will include replacing the superstructure of the bridge (timber girders and steel deck) with steel concrete and strengthen the existing concrete substructure (piers and abutments).
MSC Mayor Angela Toppin said it’s important for these infrastructure works to take place now.
“Our capital works continue because we want to be ready when the pandemic is lifted so that as a shire we can move forward and one of these projects is the John Doyle Bridge project on Anzac Ave.” Mayor Toppin said
“This is a very busy corridor, for residents and freight entering our shire. At the moment the bridge is limited to 5 tonnes,
“We want to restore this bridge as a main conduit to service the shire.
“During the construction phase, we will ensure that there is pedestrian and cyclist access.”
Mayor Toppin is asking for patience as the Bridge may be closed for up to four months. “We are going to have to be very patient as we work through this because it will take some time to ensure that it is done properly and safely.”
Access for pedestrians, cyclists and mobility scooters will be available via a temporary footbridge that was lifted into place last week.
As part of the changed traffic conditions, residents will not be able to right turn into Anzac Ave from the Kennedy Highway if coming from Cairns, with a council spokesperson saying “The traffic management plan has been put together to balance the extra traffic being pushed onto the highway as a result of the bridge closure. Motorists will not be able to turn right into Anzac Avenue from the highway to avoid congestion (queuing) and ensure traffic flows safely and efficiently.”
During construction, the bridge will be temporarily closed to all traffic. Drivers will need to access Mareeba’s CBD via the Kennedy Highway and allow extra travel time.
Some of the changed traffic conditions starting today (Friday May 28)
