Section of Port Gregory-Kalbarri Road officially opened

March 7, 1997

A 16.5km section of the Port Gregory-Kalbarri Road was officially opened today by Transport Minister Eric Charlton.

Mr Charlton said the construction works represented the first stage of a program to construct and seal the 57km road link between Port Gregory and Kalbarri by 2000.

"The road upgrading, including the sealing of spur roads to coastal gorges, will maximise the projected growth of tourism in this scenic region and provide greater commercial and social interaction between the two coastal settlements," he said.

"The sealed road will offer holidaymakers and sightseers an alternative route to Kalbarri, enabling travellers to leave the North West Coastal Highway at Northampton or Ajana and travel along the coast.

"Aside from the obvious improvements to travellers' safety, the upgraded road will enhance tourism and encourage more people to visit this unique part of the State".

Mr Charlton said the overall Port Gregory-Kalbarri road project was costing about $10 million and was being jointly funded from the State's Additional Funding Program for roads, as well as from Main Roads current expenditure program.

The 16.5km national park section, including seven kms of spur roads to the coastal gorges, was constructed by Boral Contracting Pty Ltd and supervised by GHD Pty Ltd, at a cost of $2.5 million.

The overall project is being managed by Main Roads Mid-West Region.

Media contact: Sally Squires (09) 321 7333