Almost $80 million worth of road upgrades and improvements are currently underway north and south of Newman, significantly improving freight productivity and safety in the Pilbara region.
The Great Northern Highway is the primary north-south freight route in Western Australia, with State Government investing significantly to upgrade the road in recent years.
- Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to receive the latest news and classifieds from Australia’s transport industry.
- Don’t miss a second and subscribe to our monthly Deals on Wheels magazine.
- Sell your truck with Australia’s #1 truck classifieds
Transport minister Rita Saffioti, says government is committed to making the movement of goods around the state as smooth as possible.
“Improving freight productivity and road safety go hand in hand,” she says.
“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.”
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 commence construction later this year.
With more than 60 per cent of traffic between Newman and Port Hedland comprising of heavy vehicles, the new lanes will enhance the existing freight network, increasing transport efficiency and improving road safety.
Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel, says the heavy haulage industry is critical to Pilbara and Western Australia, so providing truck drivers with safer roads and better facilities is a must.
“The overtaking lanes between Newman and Port Hedland will be a game changer for our community, providing motorists with regular opportunities to overtake and avoid risk-taking behaviour,” he says.
A further $29 million is also being invested to seal the shoulders and install audible edge lines to more than 150 kilometres of the Great Northern Highway between Kumarina and Newman.
The works are being delivered as part of the State Government’s landmark $1 billion Regional Road Safety Program, which will see safety upgrades delivered to around 10,000km of the State’s regional road network by the middle of 2025.
Eight hundred kilometres of road network in the Pilbara has now been upgraded through the program which is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments.
The $21 million worth of improvements were delivered through Stage One of the Freight Vehicle Productivity Improvements Program and focus on amenity and safety-related projects including:
- Great Northern Highway, Newman (Road Train Assembly Area) – sealed parking area, installation of ablution block, lighting and line marking;
- Great Northern Highway, Munjina (Auski) – sealed parking area and improved access for heavy vehicles;
- Great Northern Highway, Karijini Drive – upgraded heavy vehicle rest area, provision of shelter, benches, lighting and ablution block;
- Great Northern Highway, Redmont (Road Train Assembly Area) – installation of modern ablution block;
- Great Northern Highway (Area C), heavy vehicle rest area – installation of modern ablution block; and
- Great Northern Highway, Bell Street (Road Train Assembly Area) – installation of modern ablution block.
Premier Roger Cook says Pilbara being a key economic hub for Western Australia is important, as these projects can continue to foster investments and growth in tourism and mining sectors, by providing better access and connectivity.
“It’s also fantastic to see that these projects providing opportunities for Aboriginal businesses and building local skills and talent, creating brighter futures for our local communities,” he says.
Read more:
- Teen gets driven to formal in father’s Kenworth 610 SAR
- 1948 Federal undergoes decade-long restoration
- Insta-famous truckie encourages young people to get behind the wheel
- 11-year-old saves up own money to buy 1975 Oshkosh E-Series
- Fully restored 1924 Ford Model T is “reborn” after surviving fire
Check out the Deals on Wheels Facebook here.