Safety upgrades to the Great Eastern Highway are continuing with a $23 million contract awarded for works in the Wheatbelt Region.
The upgrades form part of the Australian and Western Australian Government's $250 million Great Eastern Highway Upgrades, delivering improvements to various sections of the highway through the Wheatbelt and Goldfields-Esperance Regions.
Fulton Hogan received the contract to deliver three sections of road reconstructions, widenings and sealings including:
- 4.4km between Carrabin and Bodallin
- 4.6km between Nulla Nulla South Road and approximately 700m west of Liddell Road (west of Moorine Rock)
- 2.4km between Liddell Road and Granich Road (west of Moorine Rock)
The project also includes upgrades to the intersections of Great Eastern Highway with Smyth Road, Nulla Nulla North Road, Bin Road and Granich Road and the installation of new safety barriers, kerbs, signs and audible edge and wide centre line road markings.
The upgrades follow the completion of major works on the highway including:
- Widening and sealing between Stephen Road and Noongar South Road
- Realignment through the Bodallin townsite
- Intersection upgrades at Penton Road, Ivey Road, Blyth Road, Bodallin South Road and Bodallin North Road
- Construction of an eastbound passing lane between Bodallin and Moorine Rock
- Construction of a westbound rest area between Bodallin and Moorine Rock
The works funded under the $23 million contract are expected to be completed in late 2025 with the staged upgrade program continuing along the highway until 2028.
Quotes attributed to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
"Investment in the Great Eastern Highway is essential to keep communities in the Wheatbelt and Goldfields thriving.
"Our Government understands the critical importance of road transport for our freight industry and its many workers.
"From the Bass Highway in Tasmania, to the Bruce Highway in Queensland, and the Great Eastern Highway in Western Australia - we're prioritising upgrades that keep Australians safer and the economy moving."
Quotes attributed to WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"This $250 million joint project between the State and Australian Governments is helping to improve road safety along this critical road.
"The Great Eastern Highway is an important transport link to the eastern states, as well as for local communities in the Wheatbelt, which makes this program of work absolutely critical.
"The works are also providing a critical source of employment in these local communities, helping drive economic growth in Wheatbelt towns.
"Our Government will continue to invest in initiatives that improve the safety of our road network, make them more efficient and cut down travel times for road users."
Quotes attributed to Senator for Western Australia Glenn Sterle:
"The Great Eastern Highway upgrades continue to deliver the improvements that will keep locals, tourists and truckies safe on our roads.
"This $23 million is part of a much larger investment across numerous programs that prove to Australian drivers that we're invested in their safety.
"Whether it's rest stops, guardrails, or wider bridges, we're working with state and local governments across the country to make each drive as safe as possible."
Quotes attributed to WA State Member for Kalgoorlie Ali Kent:
"Kalgoorlie locals and businesses use the Great Eastern Highway every day to commute to and from Perth, so it's fantastic to see this significant investment to make the journey safer.
"These upgrades will make the trip to and from Perth easier, faster and safer for Kalgoorlie residents long into the future."
