July 21, 2023
As part of the recent 2022/2023 State Budget, $8,500,00 has been allocated for three overtaking lanes on the Kennedy Highway between Mareeba and Ravenshoe.
Member for Hill Shane Knuth said the announcement of funding was long overdue.
“This is great news and I believe this is a community driven project after numerous constituents raised their concern over the lack of overtaking lanes not being included in the widening of the Kennedy Highway, between Atherton and Mareeba,” Mr Knuth said.
“Because of the communities push we have three new overtaking lanes which will be constructed between Mareeba and Ravenshoe.
“I would also like to acknowledge Transport and Main Roads (TMR) for their support to get this over the line.”
Mr Knuth said TMR have confirmed that one of the overtaking lanes will be constructed on the northbound lane south of Vicary Road, Mareeba.
The other two overtaking lanes are currently under review.
Tablelands Regional Council division 6 councillor Bernie Wilce said any upgrade to intersections, roads or highways, especially overtaking lanes, increased the safety of all road users.
Cr Wilce said with 40 years of wearing a blue uniform he believes impatience on the road causes a lot of fatalities and incidents.
“Any upgrade to a highway, particularly the inclusion of more overtaking lanes so that overtaking can be done safely, is a great benefit to the whole community,” he said.
Natural Choice Early Learning Family Daycare manager Christopher Gueho said he had been campaigning to get upgrades to the road for a number of years.
“Our office is on the Kennedy Highway, and we have two staff members who live and commute from Mareeba to work every day,” Mr Gueho said.
“They find it very dangerous at times with people overtaking on double lines as people get frustrated with slow drivers and large trucks.
“These overtaking lanes will be a great improvement however more upgrades need to be considered for Grove Street and Golf Links Road where there is a lot of congestion.
“I live on Golf Links Road and that intersection is particularly bad.”