Lancelin-Cervantes Stage 2 set to open next Sunday (September 19, 2010)
Portfolio: Transport
Transport Minister Simon O’Brien today announced Stage 2 of the Lancelin-Cervantes project, the final section of Indian Ocean Drive, would be officially opened by Premier Colin Barnett on Sunday, September 19, just in time for the school holidays.
“I am extremely pleased to say that not only has this project been delivered under budget, but also nine months ahead of schedule,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The new road between Lancelin and Cervantes will mean that, for the first time, an uninterrupted sealed coastal route exists all the way from Perth to Dongara and the coastal communities further north.”
The State Government fully funded the $95million project, which included the construction of 56km of new sealed road between Lancelin and Cervantes; 20km of side roads and improvement works on 9km of Pinnacles Drive; six stopping places at prominent tourist locations; and a viewing platform in the Nilgen Nature Reserve.
This is the first major project to be built under Main Roads direct management in the last 10 years.
The Minister said the project would have lasting economic and environmental benefits.
“At its peak, the project involved more than 150 people working on site. Main Roads also called on the assistance of local subcontractors. All of which brings great economic benefits to the region,” he said.
“As a result of our commitment to conservation, more than 20,000 new seedlings are being planted, while the utmost care was taken in designing a road that took environmental concerns into account. “
Mr O’Brien said the new coastal route, which overlooked the Indian Ocean, would be great for tourists and other light vehicles, as it separated them from the heavy freight traffic on Brand Highway.
“I wish all members of the Western Australian community who travel on this road a safe and enjoyable journey,” he said.
The new road link will officially open to traffic from 3pm on Sunday (September 19).
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Nelly
Posts: 518
Date Joined: 04/05/08
Great will get to use it
Great will get to use it monday then and see how much time it saves!
MattMiller
Posts: 4171
Date Joined: 15/06/09
Great news,
i can smell a fishing trip coming on
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
I ll second that matt
I ll second that matt
Active Gyp-Rok solutions ,Residential and commercial ceilings and walls
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
sounds good
Is it actually going to be faster than the brand hwy or just a better route throught to all the coastal towns that way?
what was the end fallout with the people with shacks at wedge?
will certainly make a great fishing road trip
buschy
Posts: 626
Date Joined: 27/11/09
About 30 mins quicker
They say at least 30 minutes quicker but the big plus will be less heavy vehicles.
Not sure about Wedge but I believe there has been no change in the status quo - it's still ongoing. Let's hope this has a minimal impact on the communities at Wedge and Grey.
Up in Leeman last week, Rosemary & Trevor at the Caltex were busy upgrading the servo to get ready for an expected increase in traffic through to Geraldton. They don't expect it to have a massive impact on tourism to the area though - which will suit anyone launching for a dhuey up that way. :-)
fishintruckie
Posts: 198
Date Joined: 22/07/08
Yep it will be quicker up
Yep it will be quicker up the new road and less cars and caravan's on Brand Hwy! Less idiots pulling out in front of truck's thinking we can stop in 20m! less people stopping on the road to look at the wildflower's and fury grasshopper's! but I still hate Brand Hwy!
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
That must drive you mad fishinruckie
So many idiots that think you guys can stop on a dime.
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Nelly
Posts: 518
Date Joined: 04/05/08
Probably save a fair bit of
Probably save a fair bit of time to places like jurien but can't see it saving anymore then maybe 10minutes to places like dongara and geraldton.
uncle
Posts: 9659
Date Joined: 10/02/07
kingswood
we used to travel that road in the v8 kingswood in the seventys,now can do it in style in the 4 wheeler on tar.
Used to be incredible crays and fishing along that stretch
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
roberta
Posts: 2773
Date Joined: 08/07/08
We'll be trying the new
road first week of October, must agree about less grey power on the Brand with their convoys gggrrrrr.
Fishintruckie, old fart says I feel your pain with the Brand. When we tow boat always have CB on when you boys (old fart retired mc truckie) are behind us, we'll pull over, let you through, love it when you give us the toot or flickers to say thanks hahahahah Miss going with old fart in the truck.
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fishintruckie
Posts: 198
Date Joined: 22/07/08
The ones that really get on
The ones that really get on my nerves are the ones that overtake then slow down so I overtake them, then they overtake me and slow down again. Most trucks nowadays (I wont say all) are big horsepower,550-650hp, and usually dont slow down much on average hills. They are speed limited at 100kmph and are geared to do that speed, we dont want to sit behind someone doing 80kph, happy to wait for a safe place to overtake but get pissed when the car speeds up when we go to overtake then slow back down to 80kph when we cant overtake.......... My rant over, I will crawl back into my box now.......
Roberta if old fart ever wants to come out of retirement my brand new Freightliner is all his!
Colin the hardest part is trying to explain to the boss why you have flatspotted 20 brand new tyres @ $600+ each and funny thing is it isnt the grey nomads that cause us all the issues! They are the good ones to travel with.
roberta
Posts: 2773
Date Joined: 08/07/08
Old farts biggest gripe
they come up high beam, light hits you with your mirrors, he always dropped his left hand tyres on the gravel hahahah
Don't worry he'd love to be driving trucks, but his asthma got the better of him, he loves driving all model trucks and gearboxs, mercedes not fussed, Hilters revenge he always called them hahah
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Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
has anyone tried it yet
be interested to see how much faster heading to sbend next week and wish to try it but i will be driving at night so scenery doesnt matter just time, i would imagine a bit more roo action that way
roberta
Posts: 2773
Date Joined: 08/07/08
Rig
people are saying 15 minutes, others saying just under 60 minutes. Old fart reckons from Spearwood, it will cut a hour off our travel to Leeman. The other thing it could be busy as everybody will try the new road to see.
Ginger Tablets Rock