Labor promises funding for horror highways

• General News
• 15th July 2013

$481 million for upgrade of North West Highway promised with work to begin in 2014.

The TWU has had a big breakthrough in its lobbying of the Federal Government for funding for urgently needed works on our two main North West highways.

In the May budget federal treasurer Wayne Swan announced that $481 million had been earmarked for the upgrading on horror stretches of the Great Northern and North West Coastal highways.

The government committed to the funding after the TWU wrote to federal and state transport ministers Mr Anthony Albanese and Mr Troy Buswell.

The following details on the road-works have been provided by Mr Albanese’ office.

Great Northern Highway: A package of works to be undertaken along approximately 87 kilometre section of the Great Northern Highway between Muchea and Wubin, including realignment of sections of the highway, intersection upgrades, road widening and construction of additional overtaking lanes.

• Federal contribution: $307.8 million.

North West Coastal Highway: A package of upgrades over 136 kilometres of the North West Coastal Highway between Minilya and Barradale, including widening and strengthening works, as well as the construction of two new bridges.

It was on this stretch of road that road train driver Ashley Johnson lost his life on August 31 last year.

• The Federal contribution earmarked for this project is: $174 million.

Mr Albanese’s office says funding for both projects will begin flowing on 1 July 2014. The final timetables for construction are being determined in consultation with the WA Government to ensure they are progressed as swiftly as possible in 2014.

However, with an election due soon we could be dealing with a Tony Abbott led government and we can only hope he also commits to the funding.