Planning for the upgrade of the Kuranda Range Road : the integrated transport study and the use of advanced technology to overcome alignment difficulties.

This paper is about an Integrated Transport Study that was undertaken for the Kuranda Range Road in response to priority infrastructure recommendations aimed at supporting suitable land use and settlement patterns in Cairns and surrounding environs. Based on technical investigations and the outcomes of public consultation for the study the Steering Committee, which included members of the Queensland Department of Main Roads, concluded that the existing range road is unsustainable on transport efficiency, safety, environmental, economic and regional development grounds. Current economic growth rates indicate that a four-lane road will be needed to provide the capacity required to cater for future transport demands in the Cairns - Atherton Tablelands corridor. This paper will also look at the advanced technology that is being used to overcome difficulties being faced in planning and designing the preferred alignment due to the steep mountainous terrain and dense rainforest canopy. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E208431.