New road seal to reduce noise through Eaton

Eaton residents living near Forrest Highway will have less exposure to traffic noise before Christmas with the State Government announcing today that a new seal will be applied to the road surface at a cost of $400,000.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder said work would begin next week (November 16) to provide a new 'slurry' seal on the highway between Old Coast and Hynes roads where residents have complained of traffic noise.

"The nearby pocket of residential development was established next to an existing highway before the current Western Australian Planning Commission introduced requirements in regard to noise reduction measures.  Accordingly, there was no requirement on the developer at the time to install appropriate noise walls or bunds," Mr Nalder said.

"As a result of this matter being raised with me, I asked Main Roads Western Australia to look at the possibility of completing resurfacing works to help reduce traffic noise for residents."

Parts of this section of highway currently have a slurry seal surface which produces a lower traffic noise, while others are surfaced with a standard highway chip seal.  As a result of cost savings on other works, Main Roads will now complete the slurry seal on the remaining sections.

Resealing works will be carried out at various points over the 3.3 kilometre section of highway which is used by about 25,000 vehicles a day.

Fact File

• The quieter road surface, known as a slurry seal, will be completed by early December
• The improvement is being carried out under the Main Roads' maintenance program at a cost of $400,000
• The State Government is spending $1.6 billion on roads and public transport in 2015-16 from all funding sources

Minister's office - 6552 6400