Council commits more than $9.3 million to road network

Council has committed more than $9.3 million to maintain and improve its 1,382-kilometre road network through three key programs – Pavement Rehabilitation, Road Renewal, and Ashplant Overlay.

Pavement Rehabilitation Program

Council has endorsed $5 million for the annual Pavement Rehabilitation program, in order to maintain the road network to a safe and suitable standard.

Sites have been identified for rehabilitation through a recently completed surface condition and underlying pavement assessment.

The condition assessment involved the visual inspection of the entire road network to record defects such as poor surface texture, rutting, cracking and potholing.

More than $2.3 million is being invested to extend the lifespan of 40 rural roads across the Cairns region, including Aloomba, Bellenden Ker, Goldsborough, Little Mulgrave and Mount Peter.

Road Renewal Program

The targeted works are part of Council’s ongoing road renewal program, which uses a cost-effective surface treatment to preserve and protect existing roads.

The process involves applying a bitumen and aggregate waterproof seal over the current surface to guard against moisture damage.

The treatment significantly slows deterioration by preventing water from seeping through cracks and oxidised surfaces into the underlying pavement.

It reduces long-term maintenance costs and helps avoid the need for more extensive road reconstruction in the future.”

Asphalt Overlay Program

Council has also committed more than $2 million to undertake asphalt overlays at 15 sites as part of its annual Asphalt Overlay program.

The program aims to maintain the road network to a safe and serviceable standard, prevent or reduce expected road maintenance costs and extend the lifespan of roadways by applying a layer of asphalt over an existing pavement surface.

The works are designed to maximise the useful life of the road network while delivering value for ratepayers.