Archive, Industry News

WRF gives thumbs up to WA Budget spend

Regional roads commitments welcomed and public transport backed

 

Western Roads Federation (WRF) welcomes the $4.2 billion investment in roads announced in Western Australia’s Budget, in particular the $2 billion on regional roads.

Whilst the headline figures incorporate forward estimates the commitment to roads investment is, for the WRF, a positive step.

Pre-budget announcements were made for the big-ticket items such as the $1.2 billion for extending the Tonkin Highway to the South Western Highway and fixing the choke point across the Swan River, as well as the Fremantle bridge replacement, at $230 million, all of which we welcome.

As is increasingly common amongst road-user representatives, public transport initiative, such as WA’s MetroNet, and cycleways, are seen as aiding freight efficiency

Approximately 95 per cent of the traffic stream during peak hour congestion is commuter traffic, road freight transport is estimated at only 5 per cent, the WRF argues.

Therefore, whilst investment in MetroNet at an extra $1.2 billion, and cycle networks, of $146 million, “is not a direct investment in roads, it does actually benefit the road transport industry”.


Read about WRF and NTRTA’s effort to get action on remote strategic roads, here


“Non-road investments such as MetroNet and the cycle network actually helps improve road transport efficiency and safety by reducing metropolitan road congestion and creating separation between road transport and cyclists,” Western Roads Federation chairman Craig Smith-Gander says.

The WRF insists that regional road investment is critical for safety and the economy in the state.

So, regional road funding of $2 billion is particularly welcomed.

“Our regions generate not only WA’s but the nations export wealth all of which is primarily sustained by road transport,” it says

“We must continue to ensure that WA regional road investment is a state and federal priority both to increase safety and efficiency.”

Particularly noteworthy for the organisation is:

  • the $622 million to the Bindoon Bypass and continued improvements between Muchea (new RTAA) to Wubin (current RTAA). Bindoon bypass construction starts in 2022/23 with funds allocated for planning in 2020/21 and $62 million forecast expenditure this year Muchea to Wubin upgrades
  • Bunbury Outer Ring Road ($852 million) and the Albany Ring Road ($175 million – construction budgeted to start in 2020-21) and Stage 1 of the Pinjarra Heavy Vehicle Deviation ($27.5 million) “all of which will benefit the road freight efficiency and safety”
  • Pilbara transport members welcome the funding for Stage 4 of Karratha to Tom Price Road which will enable completion of the $310 million project.
  • the $36 million or 63 per cent of the total $58 million budget to upgrade to Ord River- Halls Creek to Warnum (Turkey Creek) of Great Northern Highway. WRF sees it as “work that is desperately needed given the appalling state of the national highway through that area”.
  • the $18m in the 2019-20 financial year  to upgrade Great Eastern Highway Walgoolan- Southern Cross section

The organisation is seeking government wisdom on funding for several other issues including rest areas and the WA side of the Tanami Road.

“Clarification is required as the road in WA is actually a local government road,” it says.

 

Previous ArticleNext Article
Send this to a friend