Nearly $80 million worth of road upgrades and improvements are currently underway to significantly improve freight productivity and safety in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
The Great Northern Highway is the primary north-south freight route in WA, and the State Government is investing significantly to upgrade more than 150 kilometres of the route between Kumarina and Newman.
The construction of five new overtaking lanes between Newman and Munjina is expected to be completed later this year, with a further six overtaking lanes between Munjina and Port Hedland to also commence later this year as part of a second stage.
A total of $50 million has been allocated to deliver the 11 overtaking lanes under the Roads of Strategic Importance program, which is jointly funded by the Australian and WA Governments.
With more than 60 per cent of traffic between Newman and Port Hedland comprising of heavy vehicles, the new lanes will enhance the existing freight network, increasing transport efficiency and improving road safety.
A further $29 million is also being invested to seal the shoulders and install audible edge lines to more than 150 kilometres of the Great Northern Highway between Kumarina and Newman.
“The Pilbara is a key economic hub for Western Australia and it’s so important that we continue to support safe access for our heavy vehicle operators in the region,” said WA Premier Roger Cook.
“These projects will continue to foster investment and growth in the region’s tourism and mining sectors, by providing better access and connectivity.”
The works are being delivered as part of the State Government’s landmark $1 billion Regional Road Safety Program, which will see safety upgrades delivered to around 10,000 kilometres of the state’s regional road network by the middle of 2025.
Both projects come on top of a number of completed freight productivity improvements in the Pilbara region which have seen 800 kilometres of the road network upgraded so far.
“Improving freight productivity and road safety go hand in hand, and our Government is absolutely committed to making the movement of goods around our state as smooth as possible,” said WA Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti.
“The Pilbara remains the engine room of the state and national economy, and our Government will continue to invest in projects that allow us to unlock the region’s full economic potential.”
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