The Captain Cook Highway (CCH) between Buchans Point and Oak Beach has reopened, following major damage caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
The reopening will allow road users to travel between Cairns and Port Douglas, reconnecting local communities before the beginning of the school year and allowing for the movement of critical freight.
While CCH is open again, some sections of the road will remain single lane and under traffic control while works continue.
Recovery crews had to clear a large number of landslips and remove a significant amounts of mud and debris. All of the smaller slips have now been cleared with roughly 75 per cent of the larger slips cleared and ready for stabilisation if required.
Extensive damage also occurred to 48 culverts, either blocked with debris or requiring emergency repairs, with 70 per cent of these culverts cleared.
Meanwhile, Queensland Rail crews are working to bring back Far North Queensland’s Kuranda Scenic Rail to a full timetable. Weekend services are set to resume in late February, weather permitting.
Separately, works to construct a temporary single-lane access on the critical freight route Palmerston Highway between Crawfords Lookout and Junction Road are progressing.
The Palmerston Highway sustained significant damage including major pavement slips. While the temporary single-lane route will restore access, repairs to the highway are expected to take an extended period of time.
