Joint Media statement - Vital upgrades complete on Great Eastern Highway

Safety and productivity will be improved with upgrades between Bullabulling and Coolgardie on the Great Eastern Highway now complete.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the Australian Government had committed $29.6 million and the Western Australian Government $17.5 million towards this essential upgrade.

"The Great Eastern Highway is a major freight route linking Western Australia to the Eastern States and a major road linking Perth to the Wheatbelt and Goldfields-Esperance regions," Mr Truss said.

"The highway averages around 1,100 vehicles each day and 40 per cent of those are heavy vehicles, which is why it has been a focus for the Australian and Western Australian Governments."

Western Australian Transport Minister Dean Nalder commended the contractors for, as much as possible, sourcing plant, equipment and supplies locally.

"The project also provided employment and training opportunities for about 80 local people, including sub-contractors, over the past 10 months. At the peak of the project, this number reached 140 people," Mr Nalder said.

He said the works between Bullabulling and Coolgardie represented the highest priority sections of the highway that needed upgrading.

"Three overtaking lanes, each 1.5 kilometres long, have been constructed, which will reduce travel times and improve efficiency for freight movements."

Great Eastern Highway is the only direct sealed link between Perth and the Eastern States. Construction between Bullabulling and Coolgardie started in July 2014 and was completed in May 2015.

Transport Minister's office - 6552 6400