McGowan Government invests $5.3 billion in regional road projects

• 2023-24 State Budget continues to fund major road projects and upgrades throughout regional WA
• $5.3 billion to be invested on regional roads over the next four years
• Road safety programs continue to create jobs and improve safety
  

The McGowan Government's continued commitment to regional roads will see $5.3 billion allocated to improve and renew road infrastructure in the 2023-24 State Budget.

Major State-Commonwealth regional road projects funded in the 2023-24 budget include:

• $215 million for the Albany Ring Road;
• $76 million for the Port Hedland Airport Deviation;
• $115 million for the Bussell Highway Duplication;
• $55 million for the Indian Ocean Drive - Jurien Bay to Brand Highway;
• $1.35 billion for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road;
• $380 million for the Manuwarra Red Dog Highway (Stage 4);
• $120 million for the Marble Bar Road Upgrade;
• $275 million for the Great Northern Highway - Bindoon Bypass - Construct new alignment; and
• $250 million Great Eastern Highway upgrades at Coates Gully between Walgoolan and Southern Cross and from Ghooli to Benari.
  

Of the $542.75 million funding committed by the Australian and State Government towards sealing the 311km section of Tanami Road in Western Australia, $110 million is allocated over the next four years. Road works are planned to commence in mid-2023.

Works to seal the Outback Way also continue, with 222km of priority sections to be sealed through to 2026-27 with $150 million allocated over the next four years.

As part of the McGowan Government's continued commitment to improving road safety, funding has also been allocated for the following important WA regional programs over the next four years:

• $162 million for the Safer Roads and Bridges Program;
• $299 million for the Resealing Program; and
• $20 million for the Rail Crossing program.
  

A further $175 million will be invested in the jointly-funded State-Commonwealth Regional Road Safety Program, with around 8,500km of regional roads to be upgraded by mid-2025.

The McGowan Government will also be continuing its work to return regional road maintenance back in-house to Main Roads, which will see 490 jobs created across regional WA. 

New offices and depots have been established in the Wheatbelt and Mid-West regions, with the Goldfields-Esperance and Pilbara regions being established in October 2023 and the final Kimberley office in 2026.

For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"This budget continues our Government's strong focus on delivering improved road infrastructure in regional WA.

"The projects we are delivering will cut travel times, make our roads safer, and drive economic growth by improving the movement of freight by road, providing opportunities for local businesses and creating local jobs.

"The investment is also focussed on building resilience in our supply chains, by sealing key arterial routes like the Tanami Road and Outback Way.

"The budget will also include funding to deliver on our commitment to return road maintenance staff in-house to Main Roads, with new offices and depots planned to be set up in the Goldfields-Esperance and Pilbara regions later this year."

Minister's office - 6552 5500