The Western Australian government has revealed its biggest road project ever to be delivered in the state’s south west will have a new name upon opening.
Currently known as the Bunbury Outer Ring Road, the mammoth project will be renamed the Wilam Wadandi Highway when officially opened.
The highway is set to be named after the Traditional Owners of the land where the new highway is located, which is the Wilman and Wadandi people.
The name was determined following consultation with the local Aboriginal and Heritage Advisory Groups, the community and local government authorities.
The announcement of the formal name of the new road comes as the project passes the 86 per cent completion milestone and is anticipated to open later this year.
“The Wilman Wadandi Highway is the biggest transport infrastructure project ever planned and executed for the South West, which has created significant local economic and job opportunities,” federal transport minister Catherine King says.
“Recognising and integrating a Noongar name for such an important route, honours the Wilman and Wadandi people and their connection to the land.
“This is vital infrastructure that will provide a safer and more efficient road system for the South West of WA.”
The project has been a major economic driver for the local economy, with more than $588 million being injected into around 368 local businesses.
Over $48 million has also been allocated to Aboriginal suppliers, while more than 190 local Aboriginal people have received on-the-job training through the project’s award winning Yaka Dandjoo program.
The Bunbury Outer Ring Road project is delivering a 27-kilometre, four-lane high-standard road connecting Forrest Highway north of Bunbury, to Bussell Highway south of Bunbury.
The project will make the commute to and from the South West faster, safer and more efficient by removing vehicles travelling to and from the South West from local roads around Bunbury.
It’s expected to shave up to 18 minutes travel time off the commute to and from the South West, depending on the destination, road and traffic conditions.
The Bunbury Outer Ring Road project is jointly funded by the federal and WA governments.
“The Wilman Wadandi Highway will fundamentally change the way people move to and from the South West, making the journey faster, safer and more efficient for commuters,” WA transport minister Rita Saffioti says.
“It will also help to address congestion on local Bunbury roads by removing vehicles that previously used the local road network to reach places like Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River.
“The project has delivered a major injection for the local economy by creating thousands of jobs, while more than half a billion dollars has been spent to date with local businesses.
“It’s fitting that the name of the road will recognise the Traditional Owners given the incredible outcomes we have seen through the projects award winning Yaka Danjoo program.”
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