Millions to fix flood - damaged roads: Minister

16/3/00
Transport Minister Murray Criddle said today that the cost of flood damage to the State's road network would run into many millions of dollars.
However, Mr Criddle said much of the National and State highway network was again operational following the efforts of Main Roads Western Australia.
"Main Roads has been working around the clock to reinstate roads and bridges from the North-West to the South-East of the State which were damaged by Cyclone Steve and, in the North, seasonal monsoons," he said.
"Main Roads estimates at this stage that damage to bridges, bridge approaches and national and State highways could as be as high as $12 million. Damage to local government roads could well reach a similar amount.
"Many shire councils throughout WA are still reeling from the effects of the January floods which caused damage valued at $9 million."
The floods impacted badly on four regions, and it appeared the Gascoyne road system was the worst affected where the damage bill to National Highways and State roads alone could total between $4 million and $5 million.
Gascoyne:

• Several short sections of the North West Coastal Highway have been washed out.
• Bridge approaches at the Lyndon River, which had been washed out, have been repaired by the Shire of Exmouth.
• The Gascoyne River Bridge at Carnarvon has reopened after floodwaters damaged the concrete overlay on the deck. The crossing is being closely controlled by Main Roads personnel who are guiding vehicles across the bridge to prevent further damage to the deck.

Kimberley:

• National Highways and main roads have been reopened, with the exception of the Fitzroy Crossing-to-Kununurra section of Great Northern Highway and sections of the Gibb River Road. Exceptional flows in the East Kimberley continue.
• The Willare Bridge, although open, may have to be closed tomorrow morning, when it is expected the Willare River will peak, and could remain closed for several days.
• Damage is estimated at $2 million and consists mainly of wash outs at floodways and river and creek crossings.

Pilbara:

• Great Northern and North West Coastal Highways have reopened while much of the Marble Bar, Nanutarra-Munjina and Ripon Hills roads remain closed.
• Damage to National Highways and State roads in the region is estimated at $3 million.

Goldfields-Esperance:

• Bridge approaches at the Dalyup, West Dalyup and Lort Rivers on South Coast Highway have sustained major damage, and the highway remains closed between Esperance and Ravensthorpe. A detour is in place for light vehicles only and it will be two to three weeks before repairs can be completed.
• Damage to the three bridges is estimated at $1.5 million with a further $500,000 damage to State roads.

Mr Criddle said councils in the South-East were the most recent recipients of emergency road funds last January which helped them meet the cost of flood damage caused by New Year heavy rains.
"Special funding to assist shire councils in meeting flood costs is available through the State Road Funds to the Local Government Advisory Committee, and all councils which are affected should be considering an application," he said.
"Since the inception of the advisory committee supplementary fund four years ago, more than $20 million has been paid out to assist local government with flood damaged roads."
Media contact: Doug Cunningham (08) 9321 7333