The McGowan Labor Government is delivering $4.5 billion for major road projects and programs throughout regional Western Australia as part of the 2021‑22 State Budget.
Major projects funded and under construction include:
- $852 million for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road;
- $175 million for the Albany Ring Road;
- $98 million for upgrades to Great Northern Highway at Ord River in the Kimberley;
- $36 million for Port Hedland Airport deviation;
- $52 million for Coolgardie Esperance Highway at Emu Rocks.
The 2021-22 State Budget also includes funding for projects currently in procurement or planning, including:
- $120 million to upgrade and seal 100 kilometres of Marble Bar Road;
- $380 million to construct and seal Manuwarra Red Dog Highway Stage 4;
- $250 million for upgrades to Great Eastern Highway at Coates Gully, between Walgoolan to Southern Cross, and between Ghooli to Benari;
- $55 million to upgrade Indian Ocean Drive between Jurien Bay and Brand Highway.
The jointly funded Regional Road Safety Program continues and will see $217 million spent during 2021-22 to seal shoulders and install audible edge lining over 3,300 kilometres of roads.
A further $194 million has been allocated to continue this program in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
This is in addition to the $258 million invested to upgrade almost 4,300 kilometres of roads over the past year.
$145 million has also been allocated to the Safer Roads and Bridges Program in regional WA, with an additional $193 million invested in the Resealing Program in regional WA.
For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"More and more people are choosing to hit the road and take holidays in regional WA, so it's important we make sure our regional roads are safe.
"The 2021-22 State Budget highlights our focus on building a long-term and sustainable program to safeguard WA's economy and deliver the necessary upgrades to improve road safety across the regions.
"We have a number of major projects under construction across regional WA - from the Kimberley in the north, to Albany in the south - to support local jobs and improve safety.
"We are also continuing to deliver our Regional Road Safety Program which will see over 7,000 kilometres of regional roads ungraded by mid-2022.
"The McGowan Government is committed to ensuring its strong Budget management is reinvested in important infrastructure around the State, with improving regional roads a key focus."
