CONSTRUCTION has started on a $4.5-million roundabout designed to improve grain movements at Geraldton Port.
Positioned at the Marine Terrace intersection, the roundabout intends to improve traffic flow for trucks entering and leaving the port.
It also aims to improve safety for local road users and port customers.
The Marine Terrace Roundabout is being built as part of the $350-million Geraldton Port Maximisation Project.
The goal of the project is to increase capacity at Geraldton Port and facilitate the export of new commodities from the Mid-West region.
Western Australia premier Mark McGowan said the new infrastructure aims to help state and local economy.
“The $350-million expansion project will massively expand the capacity of Geraldton Port and help drive new commodity exports across the Mid-West,” he said.
“Our investment will also help to futureproof the industries that our regions have relied on for decades – supporting our grain farmers as they continue to deliver for the state.”
Ports minster Rita Saffioti said expanding the capacity of Western Australian ports is critical.
“Being able to export new commodities out of Geraldton will also help to grow new industries and jobs, which will support local communities for many decades to come,” she said.
And Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton highlighted the important role the port plays in Geraldton’s economy.
“I welcome these improvements to Marine Terrace, which will make our local roads safer for all road users.”
Contractor BG&E Resources, a Western Australia-based engineering consultancy, is “well progressed” in design work for the project, the state government said.
The contractor’s design work involves product handling systems, civil works, concept validations and vessel and marine simulations.
The government expects the port maximisation project to boost Geraldton’s export capacity by almost 70%.
