$35M funding for North West roadworks

The State Government today announced nearly $35 million for capital works on the road network in the North West.

North West Minister Ernie Bridge said the funds represented a 13 per cent increase in the State's road works budget this financial year.

"With the distances travelled in the North West, it is essential that roads are adequately maintained and upgraded as funds are available," Mr Bridge said.

"I believe this allocation acknowledges the special needs in the North, and will allow important works to be carried out."

He said the Main Roads Department's program for Carnarvon, Pilbara and the Kimberley included $13.5 million for improvements to highways and main roads, $17.8 million for maintenance, and $3.5 million in special grants for local government roadworks.

Major programs in the North West were:

• Improvements to the Great Northern Highway including:

• $7.3 million for the widening to National Highway standards of 15 km of single lane roadway between Halls Creek and Wyndham, continuing the program started in 1990 to upgrade 90 km of mostly single lane sealed road between Bow River and Victoria Highway;

• $350,000 for works to prepare for reconstruction of a further 57 km;

• $1.7 million for upgrading 76 km of narrow sealed road to a minimum two-lane standard between Broome and Fitzroy Crossing;

• $249,000 for final sealing of the section between Ellendale and Hardman Creek;

• $480,000 for improvements to the Gibb River - Wyndham Road as part of an upgrading program for the road which services the Kalumburu and Oombulgurri Aboriginal communities, as well as providing vital access to Kimberley pastoralists and tourists. 

Mr Bridge said he was particularly pleased that this allocation would ease the problems pastoralists have experienced in transporting their stock through the area.

• $1.8 million for improvements to the Marble Bar Road including construction of various sections totalling 8 km between Marble Bar and Great Northern Highway.

• $484,000 to complete the sealing of the 50 km spur road from Tom Price into the town of Paraburdoo.

• $316,000 for passing lanes at six road junctions between Karratha and Dampier.

• $1 million to continue the widening of single lane sealed sections to a two lane width on the Minilya-Exmouth Road between the Coral Bay turnoff and Exmouth.

• $1.3 million to reseal 60 km of the North West Coastal Highway in the Shark Bay and Carnarvon Shires.