Highway upgrade will reduce "conflict" between trucks and cars, WA Minister Simon O'Brien says
November 4, 2009
There will be less conflict between trucks and commuters now the first stage of the Great Northern Highway Upgrade in Western Australia has been completed, the Barnett Government says.
The $200 million project at Port Hedland upgraded the Pinga Street and Wallwork Road intersections and constructed a fourth lane on the highway from Wallwork Road to the Port Hedland Road intersection.
“Heavy vehicles make up around 12 per cent of the traffic, which includes more than 300 road trains a day,” Transport Minister Simon O’Brien says.
“The completed first stage allows for safer overtaking and creates a smoother flow of traffic through the upgraded intersections, reducing conflict between heavy vehicles and commuter traffic…”
O’Brien says the upgrade also alleviates concerns of the Port Hedland community about road safety.
In announcing the completion of the project two months ahead of schedule, O’Brien says the Great Northern Highway is a vital link for expanding mining operations in the Pilbara region.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says the next stage of the project will realign the highway around the northwest side of Wedgefield and that planning is already underway.
The project received $160 million in federal funding, while the Western Australian Government invested $40 million.