Contract awarded for bitumen enrichment work on Pilbara road

25/7/95

A relatively new process of applying bitumen will be used to seal a stretch of the Nanutarra-Wittenoom Road in the Pilbara.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton announced today that an $80,000 Main Roads bitumen enrichment contract for the work had been awarded to the Readymix Group.

The enrichment operation on 29 kilometres of road between the North West Coastal Highway and the Paraburdoo turn-off would involve spraying hot bitumen in a foamed state on to the road surface.

The process, which is used extensively in the Northern Territory and Eastern States, eliminates the need to cart considerable quantities of water which are required using the traditional method.

Mr Charlton said enrichment sealing was an economical way of improving the existing seal to help preserve the road network and reduce maintenance costs.

"Inconvenience to motorists will also be kept to a minimum using this method," he said.

Work will be carried out in mid-September and will take four days to complete.

Media contact:  Ian Hasleby 321 7333 - Pager 480 9999 (94065)