New passing lanes on NW Coastal nearing completion
Portfolio: Transport

Transport Minister Simon O’Brien said today that construction of two new vehicle passing lanes on North West Coastal Highway in the Gascoyne would be open by the end of November.

BGC Contracting is building the lanes at a cost of $2.3million.

Mr O’Brien said North West Coastal Highway was a key tourism, pastoral and mining route and the safety of its users was paramount.

“Road safety is a priority area for the State Government and building two new passing lanes on the highway between Burkett Road and Barrdale will improve safety and traffic flow,” he said.

“The highway is also a major freight route with triple road trains operating north of Carnarvon.”

The Minister said demand for the movement of freight would increase with significant industry expansions and new mining developments in Western Australia’s Gascoyne and Pilbara regions.

“The Gascoyne and Pilbara form the foundation of Australia’s buoyant economy, with much of our crucial mining infrastructure located in these regions,” he said.

“With expansion in the two regions set to increase even further, it is vital we ensure one of the major routes to the region is safe and reliable.”

Meanwhile, re-sealing works over eight kilometres on Great Northern Highway in the Kimberley have been completed.

The works are part of a $4million upgrade of Great Northern Highway, 90km west of Fitzroy Crossing.