Major upgrade to Florence Street approved

At a glance

Two roundabouts will be replaced by signalised intersections as part of a $10.5 million upgrade to Florence Street.

Cyclist and pedestrian safety will be addressed through the replacement of roundabouts at the Abbott St and Lake St intersections with traffic lights, along with improved line marking, new footpaths and street lighting upgrades.

Enhancements along Florence St – from the Esplanade to Grafton St – will complement established and future tourism development with a covered walkway along the Cairns Aquarium frontage, the use of flowering shade trees, trellised nature node and feature lighting.

Existing timber light poles on the road shoulders will be replaced with LED lighting on steel poles within the centre median strips.

The project also includes landscaping of centre median islands, additional tree plantings and gardens to create more shade and maintain consistency with the tropical urbanism design principle outlined in the Cairns City Centre Master Plan.

Acting Mayor Terry James said this key infrastructure project would boost the street’s appeal with visitors by alleviating safety issues and enhancing its tropical character.

“Florence St and its surrounds are home to a number of significant tourist and cultural attractions, including Munro Martin Parklands, Cairns Performing Arts Centre and the Cairns Aquarium,” Cr James said.

“More than 500,000 visitors are expected to visit these facilities each year, and Florence St plays a critical role in connecting them with other attractions and sites, including hotels, a medical centre and the Esplanade Parklands.

“The conversion of the roundabouts at Lake and Abbott streets to signalised intersections will provide controlled pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes, making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.”

A staged approach to the works will help mitigate impacts to nearby businesses.

Work on the project is scheduled to start at the end of October and continue for approximately 12 months. Work to convert the intersections is expected to start during the December 2019/January 2020 school holiday.