The McGowan Labor Government is investing $5.6 billion towards improving and renewing regional road infrastructure in the 2022-23 State Budget to improve regional road safety, reduce travel times and increase freight efficiency.
New joint State-Commonwealth Government projects currently in procurement or planning and funded in the 2022-23 State Budget include:
- $500 million to seal Tanami Road to the Western Australian border;
- $250 million to deliver Stages 1 and 2 of the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation;
- $120 million for Moorine Rock to Mount Holland road upgrades to support the Covalent lithium mine;
- $50 million Great Northern Highway Newman to Port Hedland overtaking lanes;
- $36 million towards the Secondary Freight Roads in Mid-West and Great Southern regions;
- $20 million for a new intersection and road connection at Forrest Highway and Vittoria Road in Picton; and
- $10 million Chidlow-York Road and Forrest Street intersection.
The following major State-Commonwealth regional roads projects currently under construction have received additional funding this Budget:
- $400 million of additional funding for the $1.25 billion Bunbury Outer Ring Road Stages 2 and 3; and
- $40 million of additional funding for the $76 million Port Hedland Airport Deviation project.
In addition to the projects that received new funding, the following State-Commonwealth regional roads projects are also underway:
- $500 million sealing of the remaining lengths of Outback Way, which will provide a third sealed route across Australia;
- $250 million Great Eastern Highway upgrades at Coates Gully between Walgoolan to Southern Cross and between Ghooli to Benari;
- $175 million Albany Ring Road;
- $120 million Marble Bar Road upgrades; and
- $85 million Bussell Highway Duplication.
The jointly funded State-Commonwealth Regional Road Safety Program will receive a further $159 million this Budget, bringing the total investment to $828 million, with around 9,000 kilometres of regional roads to be upgraded by mid-2023.
As part of the McGowan Government’s continued commitment to road safety, funding has also been allocated for the following important regional WA programs over the next four years:
- $146 million for the Safer Roads and Bridges Program; and
- about $200 million for the Resealing Program.
The McGowan Labor Government has also begun work to return regional road maintenance workers back in-house to Main Roads.
This will secure 490 ongoing jobs in regional WA and see new offices and depots established in Manjimup, Esperance, Karratha and Broome, along with upgrades to existing depots around the State.
For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier and Treasurer Mark McGowan:
“The 2022-23 State Budget once again highlights our focus on building, maintaining and upgrading regional roads – delivering benefits for regional economies and setting communities up for the long-term.
“This is about creating a pipeline of work that will support local jobs and provide opportunities for businesses to invest and benefit from local projects.
“We are investing in a long-term sustainable program of works that will create jobs and improve road safety right throughout regional WA.”
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“We are continuing to invest in our Regional Road Safety Program, with $828 million invested over four years to improve the safety of our regional roads.
“More and more people each year choose to hit the road and take holidays in regional WA, which is why it’s important that we make sure our regional roads are safe.
“Our recent commitment to return road maintenance staff in-house to Main Roads, securing 490 regional jobs, is another example of our commitment to regional WA.
“This initiative will see the establishment of four new depots in Manjimup, Broome, Karratha and Esperance, and upgrades to existing depots.
“We are continuing to build strong and resilient communities that deliver real opportunities, allowing our regions to prosper for the future with ongoing work and a pipeline they can rely on.”
