Driving along the Mossman-Daintree road is about to get a whole lot safer with upgrade work to begin this month.
The upgrades are part of a $44.1 million program across far North Queensland.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the upgrades were part of the Australian government's Road Safety Program.
"The program of works demonstrates the Australian Government's ongoing commitment to rolling out lifesaving road safety treatments on regional roads," he said.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the upgrade would improve safety on the road, between Mossman and Newell.
"The safety of drivers is the number one priority," Mr Bailey said.
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"Once completed, locals can expect better road shoulders, barriers and wide centre line treatment between Atherton Street and Newell Beach Road.
"The project will help reduce the risk of run-off and head-on crashes along Mossman-Daintree Road."
Construction on Mossman-Daintree Road will be carried out during both day and night works, with temporary lane closures in place throughout.
Work is expected to be completed by late November, weather and conditions permitting.
State Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the works complemented other road safety projects currently underway in the region.
"The Queensland Government is delivering $17.5 billion in regional road improvements, supporting 15,870 jobs," Ms Lui said.
"We've already seen construction kick off on Peninsula Developmental Road, through the $237.5 million Cape York Regional Package Stage 2 project.
"Earlier this year we also saw pedestrian safety upgrades completed on Port Douglas Road, improving the safety and accessibility of pedestrian crossings.
"And we are continuing to deliver upgrades along the Kennedy Highway to benefit locals, tourists and industry alike."
Other projects funded under the Road Safety Program include:
- Rest area upgrades (Statewide)$14 million for fatigue-management upgrades to roadside rest areas throughout Queensland.
- Dawson Highway - Banana to Rolleston (Central Queensland)$4 million for widening works to reduce the risk of head-on crashes.
- Dawson Highway - Rolleston to Springsure (Central Queensland)$4 million for widening works to reduce the risk of head-on crashes and address surface issues.
- Capricorn Highway and Blackwater-Rolleston Road (Central Queensland)$3.5 million to upgrade the intersection to address crash history.
- Gulf Developmental Road (Far north Queensland)$2.5 million for widening and sealing upgrade along the Gulf Developmental Road to create two lanes.
- Brisbane Road - Ipswich (Metropolitan region)$2.5 million for upgrades to the intersection of Brisbane and Braeside roads.
- Palmerston Highway - Innisfail to Ravenshoe (Northern Queensland)$2 million to widen shoulders to create safer roadsides and the installation of guardrail at high-risk locations.
- Carnarvon Hwy and NoondooThallon Road (Southern Queensland)$1.5 million for improvements to the intersection of Carnarvon Hwy and NoondooThallon Road to ensure safe traffic movements on heavy vehicle route.
