Safety first for Coalfields Highway

• Improved safety for a further 7.7km of Coalfields Highway
• Project forms part of a $53 million works package

Three sections of Coalfields Highway, in the Shire of Collie, will be reconstructed to improve safety on the major road freight and passenger route.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder announced Brierty Ltd had been awarded the contract for the reconstruction of 7.7 kilometres of road to complete the highway upgrade from west of Wellington Dam Road to Allanson.

The contract forms part of an overall $53 million works package to improve the safety and efficiency of the highway from Roelands to Collie.

"The project includes realignment and widening of the highway, as well as the installation of improved drainage, safety barriers, and new intersections at Wellington Dam Road and Gastaldo Road," Mr Nalder said.

"This stage of the project will significantly improve the safety of the highway, and cater for increasing traffic volumes, while meeting the changing needs of the transport industry, and reducing freight costs."

The new works build upon previously completed upgrades, including:

• widening of the highway from Allanson to Collie
• realignment of the Shines section immediately west of Allanson
• extension of the Roelands Hill climbing lane
• realignment of the Hamilton River section, which opened to traffic in May 2015.

The nest stage of the project, starting in October 2015, will generate 25 jobs and is due for completion in May 2016.

Fact File

• Coalfields Highway is the major road freight and passenger link between the South Western Highway and the town of Collie, connecting Bunbury to the inland
• Since 2009, the State Government has committed $53 million to complete this project
• 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