The Australian and Western Australian Governments are moving forward with making the Great Northern Highway a better and safer road with construction starting on two vital upgrades.
Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said the Miling Bypass and Pithara Section were two of nine packages of work being progressed under the $344 million Muchea to Wubin upgrade.
“The Miling Bypass will deliver 7.7 kilometres of new highway, widening and overlay of 1.2 kilometres of the existing Great Northern Highway and widening and construction of 2.5 kilometres of side roads,” Mr McCormack said.
“Meanwhile the Pithara Section will involve upgrading 16 kilometres of highway including construction of 10 kilometres of new road, six kilometres of widening, overlay works, two new overtaking lanes and a number of intersection improvements.”
Western Australian Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti said the Great Northern Highway was Australia’s longest, providing an important link between Perth and the resource-rich regions in WA’s north.
“The Miling Bypass will provide an alternative route for heavy vehicles around the town of Miling, improving freight efficiency and creating a safer passage for all road users,” Ms Saffioti said.
“It will also separate local and heavy vehicle traffic, and minimise noise and vibration in the Miling town site.
“Currently, over 1,300 vehicles pass through Pithara on a daily basis, with about 35 per cent of these being heavy vehicles. A range of modifications are also planned for the road layout in the Pithara town site, including dedicated parking areas to separate local and through traffic and new bus bays.
“This is one of many new Main Roads contracts that contractually progress Aboriginal employment and business engagement.”
Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price said local businesses would reap benefits from these works with the Miling Bypass contractor Watpac Civil and Mining Pty Ltd committing to source $4 million worth of goods and services from regional suppliers.
“The Muchea to Wubin section of the Great Northern Highway is experiencing growing volumes of heavy vehicles including 36.5 metre road trains and other oversized vehicles, resulting in significant delays and reliability issues for general traffic,” Ms Price said.
“The Miling Bypass and Pithara Section projects will build on the works already completed between Muchea and Wubin, delivering on the Government’s commitment to making Great Northern Highway a better and safer road.”
Construction of the Miling Bypass is expected to be complete by mid-2019. The Pithara section will be delivered by the Highway Construction/ALBEM Joint Venture.
The Australian Government is providing $275 million towards this $344 million project, with the WA Government providing the remaining $69 million.