State Budget 2011-12: Building the State - Funding for next phase of the Coalfields Highway upgrade

The Liberal-National Government has increased total funding for the Coalfields Highway to $25million following the approval of an additional $10.6million in the 2011-12 State Budget.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the funding fulfilled an election promise to upgrade the highway which was ignored and left in a dangerous state by the previous government.

"Coalfields Highway is the main transport route servicing Collie and its surrounding industrial area and provides links to tourism destinations within the South-West," Mr Buswell said.

"It is probably the most important industrial road in the South-West and this Government has a duty to reverse years of inaction by making the highway safer.

"The Liberal-National Government has already spent about $7million on improvements and this budget provides a further $7.4million to finish works on the Collie to Allanson section and to start further upgrades between the Wellington Dam turn-off and Allanson.

"This phase of the upgrade will see a number of major realignments of the highway from west of the Wellington Dam turn-off to the Allanson town site.

"This Government has also approved spending a further $10.6million in 2012-13, bringing the total commitment to $25million."

Main Roads WA is currently developing plans for works which, depending on the timing of relevant approvals, could start later this year.

"Traffic volumes between Collie and the Worsley alumina refinery are increasing and currently run at almost 6,000 vehicles a day.  Heavy vehicles make up 12 per cent of the traffic," the Minister said.

"This latest funding allocation reflects the State Government's intention to make the Coalfields Highway safer for all road users while improving efficiency and travel times."

Mr Buswell said an additional $1.5million in the 2011-12 Safer Roads Program is earmarked for widening, sealing shoulders and installing additional guard railing on the Roelands Hill section of the highway.