The Great Northern Highway (GNH) upgrades between Muchea and Wubin in Western Australia are progressing, with Walebing curve realignment and intersection improvements in Wubin underway.
The works form part of an ongoing package of works to improve safety, efficiency and access to Great Northern Highway.
Central Earthmoving will deliver this latest package of works, which are expected to be complete by mid-2020.
The works include 4.5km of new highway through Walebing, including upgrades at the intersections with Midlands Road and Old Geraldton Road.
The new highway will have an improved alignment replacing the existing tight low-speed curve and making that section safer and easier to traverse.
In Wubin, widening works at the intersection with Mullewa-Wubin Road and upgrades around the road train assembly area will improve access for future 53.5m road trains.
An incentivised Aboriginal participation scheme has been included in the contract to encourage the employment of Aboriginal people and the use of Aboriginal businesses.
It is anticipated that opportunities for five full-time Aboriginal employees will be provided, plus up to 12 per cent of the contract value will be spent using Aboriginal businesses.
Construction works are also underway north of Muchea to upgrade another 12.5km of GNH, providing a smooth transition into the NorthLink WA upgrades.
As of November 2019, five packages of GNH upgrade works have been completed, upgrading over 74km between Muchea and Wubin.
The Federal and Western Australian Governments have committed a total of $344.75 million for the upgrades on this 218km section of highway.
“These sections of work form a strategic component of the longer-term enhancements, improving freight efficiency and road safety on one of the most important highways in Western Australia,” Michael McCormack, Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, said.
“This is all part of the Federal Government’s $100 billion pipeline of infrastructure projects over the next decade, getting Australians home to their families sooner and safer.”
Melissa Price, Federal Member for Durack, said the funding was important for the freedom of movement of the road trains.
“With recent federal funding of $220 million announced towards the $275 million Bindoon Bypass section of Great Northern Highway, the last impediments will be removed for future movements of 53.5m road trains travelling south to Muchea,” Ms Price said.
“The upgrade in Wubin and the removal of the tight curve at Walebing are further key steps to achieving this benefit for the freight industry.”
Western Australian Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti, said the works were important for safety and efficiency.
“We are continuing to improve the safety, efficiency, access and amenity of this important link between Perth and the State’s north,” Ms Saffioti said.
“The Walebing works will remove a tight curve that has a history of accidents, improving road safety, traffic flow and providing better access for landowners.
“Upgrades in Wubin will improve access for heavy vehicles in and around the Road Train Assembly Area.
“On completion of the Walebing, Wubin and Muchea works, a total of eight packages will see 92km of Great Northern Highway upgraded.”
