A key McGowan Government election commitment to duplicate the 2.43-kilometre section of Great Eastern Highway between Anzac and Gatacre drives in Kalgoorlie-Boulder is now underway.
Highway Construction Pty Ltd was recently awarded the $15.8 million contract to upgrade the last remaining section of single-carriageway highway in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti and local member Kyle McGinn today visited the work site to turn the first sod for the project, which is anticipated for completion in early 2020.
The project includes the upgrade of Great Eastern Highway to two lanes in each direction, better drainage, new lighting and improvements to two intersections.
The intersections of Hunter and Atbara streets will be upgraded to include right-turn pockets, reducing congestion and decreasing the risk of rear-end crashes.
Meanwhile, access to local businesses will also be enhanced with new kerbing and replacement of the existing surface drainage system, which currently overflows during heavy rainfall.
The upgrade will improve both safety and accessibility for approximately 8,000 vehicles using this section of Great Eastern Highway every day, 15 per cent of which are heavy vehicles as long as 53.5 metres.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The Great Eastern Highway widening - Anzac Drive to Gatacre Drive is an important election commitment and I am pleased to see it get underway.
"It's been rewarding to oversee this project from its inception - listening to the heavy transport industry before the election, watching the design take shape, dealing with service relocations and now reaching the much-anticipated construction phase.
"The end result of a safer, more efficient road will be worth the wait for local businesses and residents."
As stated by Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Kyle McGinn:
"I'm really happy that yet another election commitment for this area is being delivered as promised. As local member, the safety of this stretch of road gets raised with me all the time.
"I'm regularly hearing from residents and businesses who are eager for this road upgrade to get done.
"The upgrade of the Anzac Drive to Gatacre Drive section of Great Eastern Highway comes 25 years after Anzac Drive itself was constructed by the infamous 'Rebel Roadbuilders'.
"It's been a great effort by all involved to get the project to the stage it's at now and I look forward to seeing the contractors finishing the job over the next few months."
