Tier 3 grainlines assessment

Tier 3 grain lines assessment

The WA government has committed to an engineering assessment of unused Tier 3 grain lines in the state to determine the cost and time of bringing the freight lines back into working order.

Arc Infrastructure manages the lines which stretch over 500km and will facilitate the assessment. The lines were put into care and maintenance by the WA government in 2014 with ABC estimating it would cost $120 million to return the lines to operating condition.

“The Public Transport Authority (PTA) has engaged a third party to conduct an engineering assessment and Arc is facilitating the assessment by providing access and some baseline data, however, it is being completed independently to Arc,” said an Arc Infrastructure spokesperson.

The WA government is close to completion of the Revitalising Agricultural Regional Freight Strategy (RARF) and the draft strategy recommended improving the rail network in all regions, however, it noted that the reopening of the Tier 3 lines is not part of the strategy.

The Arc Infrastructure spokesperson said that it was working with CBH on initiatives proposed in the RARF.

“We will continue to support the planning and design on any of the high priority RARF initiatives that will increase the volume of grain being moved on rail for the benefit of WA growers.”

CBH’s Ben Macnamara also looked forward to improving the rail network.

“The grain rail freight network is a significant part of the WA grain industry supply chain and CBH has welcomed the State Government’s development of the Revitalising Agricultural Region Freight Strategy,” he said.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the government and industry on this important initiative.”

GREAT CENTRAL ROAD (OUTBACK WAY) SEALING WORKS UNDERWAY

Work will soon begin on sealing Great Central Road with a $20 million contract awarded to Wongutha Way Alliance, a joint venture between CareyMC Pty Ltd and Central Earthmoving Company Pty Ltd.

In consultation with local elders, the Alliance was aptly named the 'Wongutha' Way Alliance, meaning the broad group of local Aboriginal people who reside in the area and celebrating the united commitment to provide benefit to local communities.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, and Regional Development Michael McCormack said providing interstate connectivity for tourists, communities and the freight industry will help support our economy far into the future. "It's exciting to see work starting on this 41km section of Great Central Road. The project includes reconstruction of the pavement and sealing the road surface, which will ultimately form part of the longer-term upgrade of 'Outback Way," Mr. McCormack said. "This will create Australia's third Transcontinental Highway, providing a sealed route starting in Laverton, Western Australia, through Alice Springs in the Northern Territory and connecting to Winton in Queensland."

The Great Central Road project is a jointly funded project with the Australian Government committing $37.2 million and the West Australian Government committing $9.3 million.

Works to start on Leach Highway turning lane upgrades

Works will soon begin on $2.6 million worth of upgrades to several key intersections along Leach Highway to improve safety and traffic flow.

The five intersections targeted for improvements are Rome Road, Marshall Road, Norma Road, Winthrop Drive, and Murdoch Drive.

Right turn pockets in the median at each intersection will be extended to prevent traffic queues building up on the highway.

Pavement markings, signage, drainage, and street lighting will also be upgraded to cater for the improved intersections.

The turning lane works will accompany the $118 million High Street and Stirling Highway intersection upgrade currently under construction in Fremantle.

Upon completion in mid-2021, the High Street project will deliver critical safety improvements and enhance freight efficiency on the approach to Fremantle Port.

The $2.6 million upgrade is being undertaken by Main Roads and is expected to be completed by August 2020.