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Contractors on $164M Smithfield Bypass progress ahead of schedule

The Queensland Government’s $164 million Smithfield Bypass project is ahead of schedule with all deck units for the Avondale Creek Bridge installed.

Around 500 local workers have been inducted onto the site, working with more than 90 local suppliers. The joint venture between Highway Construction and Albem Operations are undertaking the works.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey today joined Member for Barron River Craig Crawford to inspect progress and praise the efforts of local crews and businesses who completed a number of major milestones this month.

“It’s projects like the Smithfield Bypass that have continued to provide vital local jobs through the pandemic and it’s great to see workers already clocking up more than 150,000 hours getting this project off the ground,” she says.

Crawford said in total, 95 per cent of people employed on the project have been from Cairns and the far north.

“This is a project being built by the far north for the far north to bust congestion, make our roads safer and support our business hubs,” he said.

Crews have completed base slabs for two culverts and relocated all services along a 1.1 kilometre section of the bypass.

“We’ve also moved into the next stage of the Caravonica roundabout overhaul and have completed extensive bridge piling works at the McGregor Road roundabout for a future overpass,” Crawford said.

“The new road will improve traffic conditions for the Cairns Northern Beaches by reducing congestion on the section of the Captain Cook Highway (CCH) between McGregor Road and the intersection of CCH and the Cairns Western Arterial Road.”

Works on the Smithfield Bypass are expected to be complete by late 2021, weather permitting.

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