HEAVY vehicles make up more than 60% of traffic between Newman and Port Hedland and the construction of 11 overtaking lanes on Great Northern Highway, the primary north-south freight route in WA, will improve freight productivity and safety according to a state government media release from 12 August.
Safety upgrades are being made to a 150 kilometre stretch of Great Northern Highway between Kumarina and Newman as part of the $1 billion Regional Road Safety Program, which will see safety upgrades delivered to around 10,000 kilometres of the state’s regional road network by the middle of 2025.
So far 800 kilometres of road network in the Pilbara has been upgraded through the program jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments.
The construction of five new overtaking lanes (three northbound, two southbound) between Newman and Munjina (Auski) on the Great Northern Highway is expected to be completed later this year.
A further six overtaking lanes between Munjina (Auski) and Port Hedland as part of a second stage will also begin construction later this year.
A total of $50 million has been allocated to create the 11 overtaking lanes with another $29 million allocated to seal the shoulders and install audible edge lines to Great Northern Highway between Kumarina and Newman.
The latest works follow on from several freight productivity improvements in the Pilbara region.
The $21 million worth of improvements already completed include sealed parking area, installation of ablution block, lighting, and line marking at the Newman road train assembly area; a sealed parking area and improved access for heavy vehicles at Munjina (Auski); upgraded heavy vehicle rest area, provision of shelter, benches, lighting and ablution block on Karijini Drive; installation of modern ablution block at the Redmont road train assembly area; installation of modern ablution block on Great Northern Highway (Area C); and installation of modern ablution block at the Bell Street road train assembly area.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said improving freight productivity and road safety go hand in hand, and the government is committed to making the movement of goods around the State as smooth as possible.
“The Pilbara remains the engine room of the State and national economy, and our government will continue to invest in projects that allow us to unlock the region’s full economic potential,” Ms Saffioti said.
