Road safety upgrades worth more than $250 million are being commissioned across Western Australia as part of the Regional Road Safety Program.
The program is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Western Australian Governments to reduce the risk of run-off-road crashes and support local jobs.
A total of $100 million of works are underway, with a further $158 million to be spent by the end of the 2021 financial year.
The Commonwealth Government funding is based on a “use it or lose it basis”, according to Michael McCormack, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.
“This funding will be rolled out on a ‘use it or lose it basis’, which means the delivery of life-saving upgrades to regional roads across Western Australia is on the horizon,” he said.
“This is also about supporting local jobs and providing a welcome boost to local economies at the same time – we are backing our regions to drive the nation’s economic recovery.”
WA Premier Mark McGowan said up to 7000 kilometres of roads across Western Australia will be upgraded.
“As the economy rebuilds we have more people getting back to business and work, as well as people choosing to ‘Wander out yonder’ in our beautiful state,” Premier McGowan said. “It’s important we make sure our roads are as safe as possible for all users.
“This tranche of funding will provide much needed upgrades to key roads all across our state, from the Kimberley to the Great Southern, supporting local jobs and providing a much needed economic boost to the regions.”
Key projects being funded include $8 million in upgrades to the Great Northern Highway, more than $7 million for the North West Coast Highway and in excess of $5 million for upgrades to Albany Highway in Wagin.