Community & Business
24 February, 2023
Palmerston Highway study underway
A $1.5 million study is underway to develop an upgrade strategy for the Palmerston Highway, a key Far Northern freight and transport route.
Transport and Main Roads will consult with key stakeholders and consider the viability and potential of:
• Intelligent transport systems (ITS) as a management tool for incidents and traffic
• Temporary storage area for vehicles involved in crashes
• A turnaround facility
• A helipad near the highway or off road, and
• Runaway truck or escape ramps.
Assistant Minister for Regional Roads Bruce Saunders said the Palmerston Highway Upgrade Strategy - Link Planning would build on previous studies, including the Cairns to Northern Tablelands Access Strategy, to consider potential upgrades.
“The Palmerston Highway between Innisfail and Millaa Millaa is a key freight corridor within Far North District, and being the northern most B-double route, carries significant traffic,” Mr Saunders said.
“The study’s primary goal is to develop a short, medium and long-term upgrade strategy to improve the overall safety, reliability, capacity, transport efficiency, road performance, and flood resilience on the Palmerston Highway.”
He said the study would include an assessment of the highway, facilities and infrastructure to determine issues with the road.
“This project will enable increased safety, intersection upgrades and flood resilience on the Palmerston Highway by recommending a master plan for potential upgrades and developing a staged approach for any future works,” MR Saunders said.
Completion of the strategy is expected in early 2024. Parties interested in participating in consulta-tion can email cairns.office@tmr.qld.gov.au or call 4045 7144.
