Overcoming roadblocks keeps scenic highway open
Flanked by World Heritage listed rainforest and a steep coastline that kisses the Great Barrier Reef, the Captain Cook Highway is considered one of Australia's most scenic drives.
As a key route for tourism and trade connecting Cairns, Port Douglas and Mossman, the highway also plays a crucial role supporting Far North Queensland’s economy.
Put simply, keeping the highway open is vital to sustaining the region.
And that strategic importance was underlined when a deluge swamped Far North Queensland in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
Among the most visible and disruptive impacts of the disaster was the damage caused to the highway, which was scarred by more than 120 landslips.
Repairing and reopening the highway presented Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) crews with more than the usual set of challenges.
The sheer volume of work was, in itself, a massive task, and was magnified by the need to take into consideration the area’s incredibly beautiful but fragile environment.
Utmost care was required when crews worked on the major landslip sites between Turtle Cove, Wangetti, and Rex Lookout.
TMR liaised with the Wet Tropics Management Authority for approvals prior to commencing the critical works.
When working, crews had to be mindful their environmental footprint did not impact the rainforest or the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, both of which had already sustained significant damage following Jasper.
This, however, was no easy task considering works included the use of more than 800 linear metres of soil nails, some of which were embedded 12 metres into the hillside, and more than 200 tonnes of concrete protection to stabilise downslopes and prevent further damage.
Protecting the marine park also meant changing work practices to prevent grout run-off, with fibrecrete binding layers used to reduce sediment leaving the site.
To minimise the impact to road users, works were completed at night and regular road openings were managed to allow travel to and from Port Douglas over peak periods such as school holidays.
Works were also scheduled around major events like the annual IRONMAN Cairns and Port Douglas Carnivale, which provide significant economic benefits to the region.
Favourable weather conditions saw temporary stabilisation works completed ahead of schedule on 26 July 2024.
The focus is now on long-term repairs that will restore Captain Cook Highway to full capacity once more.
A construction contractor has been appointed, and when design works are completed the complex geotechnical works needed to restore the highway to its pre-Jasper function will commence.
The recovery works are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
