Joint Media Statement - UPGRADES CONTINUE ON VITAL PERTH TO KALGOORLIE LINK

Major upgrades to Great Eastern Highway continue to surge ahead with a $24 million contract awarded for works on an 11-kilometre section of the road between Southern Cross and Ghooli, southwest of Kalgoorlie.

The contract award is part of the broader $250 million Great Eastern Highway Upgrade program, which is delivering improvements to various sections of the Highway through the Wheatbelt and Goldfields-Esperance regions.

The upgrades include overtaking lanes, intersection improvements, bridge replacement, road widening and shoulder sealing while work on the 11-kilometre section between Southern Cross and Ghooli will include realignment, reconstruction, overlay and widening of the Highway to 11 metres.

The contract award comes as other major works on the Great Eastern Highway continue, including:

• Widening of 15 kilometres of highway around Bodallin and the construction of a new two-kilometre passing lane
• Widening the road near Moorine Rock Bridge with sealing and new guardrails being installed
• Intersection upgrades and widening of Parker Range Road have also begun with completion expected mid-2024.

The staged upgrade program will continue along the Highway until 2028.

Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

"The Australian Government is committed to ensuring a reliable, safe and efficient transport link between Perth and Kalgoorlie, and this project is an important step in that journey.

"We're proud to be partnering with the Western Australian Government to improve the Great Eastern Highway, section by section, to ensure safe and reliable transport access for residents, freight movements and tourists."

Quotes attributed to WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"Great Eastern Highway is a vital freight link for Western Australians, which is why this extensive program of upgrades is so critical.

"In the past few years, we've also upgraded 193 kilometres of Great Eastern Highway in the Wheatbelt including shoulder sealing between Northam and Walgoolan, upgrades between Carrabin and Bodallin and replaced four bridges in Coates Gully in the Shire of Northam.

"We've also recently opened the new Walgoolan Bridge, which is another important achievement.

"Our Government remains committed to upgrading and improving the regional road network, for all road users."

Quotes attributable to Senator for Western Australia Varun Ghosh:

"We are working with the Western Australian Government to invest in and upgrade the Great Eastern Highway, which is vital for essential, industry and tourism travel between Kalgoorlie and Perth.

"This crucial investment by the Australian and Western Australian Governments will improve road safety and help to ensure that more efficient freight travel becomes a reality on one of WA's most significant highways."

Comments attributed to State Member for Kalgoorlie Ali Kent:

"Our Government recognises the importance of improving the safety of Great Eastern Highway, which is why we continue to invest in upgrades.

"Kalgoorlie residents drive this route daily when travelling to and from Perth, so delivering these upgrades is of the utmost importance to our community."

12 MARCH 2024