News
Critical road upgrades for the Mid-West
M
ore than $20 million has been allocated by the State Government to fund critical road upgrades throughout the Mid-West region. Upgrades already underway or due to be completed before the middle of 2021 are: • $4.8 million worth of upgrades to Brand Highway between Cooljarloo and Badgingarra - works include 30 kilometres of widening and installation of audible edge lines. Work will start in November 2020 and is expected to be completed by April 2021; • $2 million to upgrade the intersection of Brand Highway and Barrett Drive preliminary safety works to commence next month with major works to start in January 2021; • $10.1 million of upgrades to Great Northern Highway - 75 kilometres of widening and installation of audible edge lines in the Shire of Meekatharra. Work to commence in January 2021 and is expected to be completed by June 2021; • $3.8 million to upgrade Indian Ocean Drive - includes 30 kilometres of widening and installation of audible edge lines in the shires of Gingin and Dandaragan. Work started in September
and is expected to be completed in December 2020; • $1.83 million - to install a roundabout at Durlacher and Maitland streets, in conjunction with the City of Greater Geraldton, due to be completed early next year; and • $120,000 for North West Coastal Highway - This includes installing street lighting from Johnston Street to Utakarra Road. Works to start in December 2020 and are expected to be completed by June 2021. Given the expected traffic increases during the upcoming Christmas holiday period, Main Roads will put in place a temporary restriction of right turn movements into and out of Barrett Drive by November 2020. Major work will commence in early 2021 and will include: • installation of a separate southbound left turn lane from Brand Highway into Barrett Drive, allowing clearer visibility for turning traffic; • widening of the intersection of Brand Highway and Barrett Drive to improve safety of truck movements from Barrett Drive onto Brand Highway; • extending the dual southbound lanes
on Brand Highway past Lockyer Road, moving the merge point past the Lockyer intersection; • intersection improvements at Lockyer Road/Brand Highway; and • new median and island treatments. As part of a recent visit to Geraldton, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti met with local government representatives to discuss the Dongara-GeraldtonNorthampton Planning study. The preferred route was defined by a Main Roads alignment selection study which was undertaken to identify a road corridor that could provide a long-term solution for freight, safely accommodate heavy vehicle combinations and remove heavy vehicles from town sites. Following extensive community feedback and investigations, the preferred single corridor between Dongara, Geraldton and Northampton has been proposed. Community consultation on the preferred corridor commenced in late September and anyone interested is encouraged to visit www.mysaytransport. wa.gov.au/dongara-geraldton-northampton before January 29, 2021 to have their say on the route.
Coolgardie-Esperance Highway set for $52 million upgrade
R
oad safety and regional jobs in south-central Western Australia will get a boost, with Highway Construction named as the preferred proponent to upgrade the CoolgardieEsperance Highway. Upgrades will be delivered on the 25-kilometre section between the Goldfields Highway intersection and Widgiemooltha, known as Emu Rocks South, supporting approximately 90 jobs. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said, “Our focus is on getting people back into work quickly, which is why we have committed $1.5 billion to prioritise shovelready projects and targeted road safety works that can boost the economy and support jobs immediately. “The Australian Government’s $110 billion 10-year infrastructure pipeline will support our economy and create jobs, particularly for those in the construction and manufacturing industries.” Western Australian Minister for Transport
and Planning Rita Saffioti said the project formed part of the State Government’s $80 million investment to upgrade road infrastructure and support local jobs in the Goldfields-Esperance region. “Over 290,000 vehicles use this remote stretch of road every year, of which nearly 35 per cent are heavy vehicles,” Minister Saffioti said.
Over 290,000 vehicles use this remote stretch of road every year, of which nearly 35 per cent are heavy vehicles “This critical upgrade will significantly improve safety for locals, tourists and freight operators alike. “The $52 million investment is part of our ongoing commitment to provide safer regional roads across Western Australia.” Works will include constructing a northbound and southbound passing
lane north of Widgiemooltha, upgrading intersections at Goldfields Highway and Kingswood Street, and widening and sealing road shoulders. The Coolgardie-Esperance Highway at Emu Rocks forms part of the PerthAdelaide route on the National Land Transport Network. Federal Member for O'Connor Rick Wilson said, “By investing in this stretch of the highway we are supporting the productivity of regional industries on what is a major freight route through the Goldfields-Esperance region, with around two million tonnes transported each year.” The project will also include replacement and extension of culverts and installation of signage, line marking and audio tactile edge and centre lines. Construction is due to start in December 2020 and completion is expected by April 2022. The $52 million project is jointly funded with the Australian Government committing $41.6 million and the Western Australian Government $10.4 million. WATM • December 2020
15
