More upgrades on the way for Great Northern Highway

MHR Christian Porter, Hon Darren Chester MP, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, Prime Minister.

• Federal funding approved for three more sections totalling 37.6 kilometres

• Commonwealth and State Governments collaborate to improve WA freight network

• Works will boost safety and increase efficiency for road trains, as part of a $344.75 million strategy to upgrade the Muchea to Wubin corridor

Works to improve the Great Northern Highway are rolling on, with the Australian Government approving $105.34 million to upgrade a three section, 37.6-kilometre length of the road between Muchea and Wubin

The Western Australian Government will contribute $26.34 million to the $131.68 million project.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said improving safety and freight productivity on the highway was a major priority of the Australian Government’s significant investment in Western Australian infrastructure.

“The Australian Government has committed $275.8 million in total to upgrade the Muchea to Wubin corridor, keeping economically crucial regional areas connected to Perth by enabling safer, more efficient passage of road trains,” Mr Chester said.

Western Australian Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti said the latest works would upgrade three priority sections around Muchea North, Pithara and Miling.

“The works will include widening and new overtaking lanes, as well as bypasses and other realignments. Together, these upgrades will improve traffic safety and efficiency for our freight operators by better separating cars and trucks, and upgrading the highway to current design standards,” Ms Saffioti said.

Federal Member for Pearce Christian Porter said the works, which are part of the Australian Government’s $75 billion infrastructure investment program, were just the latest to be undertaken as part of a jointly funded strategy to upgrade the corridor.

“Federal funding has already contributed to priority upgrades between Batty Bog Road and Walebing, the Miling Straight Realignment and the Bindoon Bypass Preconstruction. The Government has also previously invested in important upgrades such as the New Norcia Bypass and works between Bindi Bindi and Lyons East Roads,” Mr Porter said.

Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price said once all upgrades were complete, road trains would be able to travel almost 220 kilometres closer to Perth, decoupling their loads in Muchea.

“Completing the corridor strategy will deliver a high-standard freight route from just north of Wubin to Muchea, where a new road train assembly area will be built, and around Perth, ultimately connecting with NorthLink WA and Gateway WA, and offering a boost to industry sectors that rely on freight,” Ms Price said.

Construction on the latest sections is expected to start by early 2018 and is due for completion by June 2019, weather permitting.

For more information on the Australian Government’s $75 billion infrastructure investment program, visit http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/