Upgrades for South Western Highway and the Coalfields Highway

1/9/06
Almost $20million will be spent this financial year upgrading key sections of the South Western Highway and the Coalfields Highway to increase safety and improve travel times.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan today announced an additional $3.3million had been allocated for further improvements between Donnybrook and Bridgetown.
"Some $3million of this funding will allow five kilometres of sealed shoulder to be constructed near Greenbushes to improve a section of the highway notorious for its crash rate," Ms MacTiernan said.
"On the Coalfields Highway, we will spend $300,000 extending the left turn lane at the intersection of Gastaldo Road, which provides access into Worsley Alumina Refinery, and sealing one kilometre of road shoulder at Allanson.
"This financial year, we will also spend $5.2million on passing lanes on the highway, one south of Yarloop, one north of Harvey and two north of Brunswick and $5million for further improvements to the approaches to Donnybrook.
"We have already completed a climbing lane and extended the descending lane at Hester's Hill and widened another 1.3km near Donnybrook, at a cost of $4.3million.
"The State Government is also spending $14.45million upgrading facilities on the Greenbushes-to-Bunbury railway, which will enable a great deal of heavy haulage to come off the highway by the middle of next year."
Collie-Wellington MLA Mick Murray welcomed the commitments and said the Minister had agreed to continue to seek further funding for improvements to the highway.
"The South West Highway is the primary link between many communities, as well as one of the State's major freight routes," Mr Murray said.
"We need to improve its safety and efficiency for both types of users."
Minister's Office - 9213 6400