Widening works on North West Coastal Highway

The State Government will spend $1.75 million to upgrade the North West Coastal Highway between Northampton and Binnu in the Mid West-Gascoyne Region, as part of its commitment to improve safety on the State’s road network.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the highway was an important coastal route, providing an intra-State link between Perth, the Mid-West, Gascoyne and Pilbara regions.

“About 30 per cent of the vehicles using this part of the road are heavy vehicles, including road trains, some with oversize or overmass loads,” Mr Nalder said.

The work involves culvert extensions, shoulder reconstruction and the widening of seal for 8.5 kilometres of road, as well as installation of audible tactile edgelines, and minor upgrades to the Binnu East Road intersection.

“These measures will dramatically improve the safety and reliability of this section of road,” the Minister said.

In 2013-14, Main Roads delivered the first phase of the project by widening the seal on the section 17.3km immediately south of proposed works.

The work is funded by speeding fines and red light infringements paid into the Road Trauma Trust Account.

Contractors DownerMouchel will deliver the works, which are due for completion by June 2015.