Joint media statement - New overtaking lanes to improve safety on Great Northern Highway

The delivery of 11 overtaking lanes on Great Northern Highway between Newman and Port Hedland is now underway as part of a $50 million package of works.

The lanes, which have been included under the Australian Government's newly announced Great Northern Highway corridor, will help support the Pilbara region's booming mining industry and foster economic development as well as improve road safety for heavy vehicle drivers and other road users.

The major package of works is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments, with the Australian Government providing $40 million and the Western Australian Government $10 million.  

With more than 60 per cent of traffic between Newman and Port Hedland comprising of heavy vehicles, the new lanes are expected to enhance the existing freight network, increasing transport efficiency and improving road safety.

The works will also deliver important benefits to the local tourism and pastoral industries and access to local Aboriginal communities.

The overtaking lanes will be delivered in two stages with the first stage to see five new overtaking lanes built between Newman and Auski. These will include three southbound overtaking lanes and two northbound overtaking lanes.

A second contract to deliver six overtaking lanes on the Great Northern Highway between Auski and Port Hedland is expected to be awarded before the middle of the year.

All 11 overtaking lanes are scheduled to be complete by mid-2025.

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

"The Australian Government is committed to working with the Western Australian Government to ensure everyone on the State's roads has the safest and smoothest possible journey.

"These overtaking lanes will reduce delays and improve traffic flow on the Great Northern Highway, delivering a better and more reliable journey for motorists who travel along this key route.

"This is an exciting next step as we continue to build the infrastructure that communities in Western Australia need and deserve."

Quotes attributed to WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"Our Government is focussed on ensuring the movement of freight across our State, particularly in the North West, is as safe and efficient as possible.

"We have a significant number of heavy vehicles moving on the Great Northern Highway and the installation of overtaking lanes in strategic locations will reduce travel times, improve efficiency, and enhance safety by ensuring drivers don't take unnecessary risks.

"We remain committed to improving regional road safety and the wider State road network for both heavy vehicle operators and local commuters."

Quotes attributed to Senator for Western Australia Glenn Sterle:

"It's wonderful that work is underway on 11 new overtaking lanes on the Great Northern Highway between Newman and Port Hedland.

"These overtaking lanes will improve road safety by providing and encouraging safe overtaking opportunities, reducing driver frustration from drivers not being able to overtake slower-moving vehicles.

"Residents, drivers and importantly our hard-working truckies in Western Australia's north will greatly benefit for years to come from this work being funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments.

"As someone who still drives trucks along this route, I know this work is going to make a great difference for our truckies."

Quotes attributed to State Member for Pilbara Kevin Michel:

"These new overtaking lanes will make a real difference to the safety of this section of Great Northern Highway, by providing more regular opportunities to pass heavy vehicles.

"We know how important the mining and resources sector is to our State and the Pilbara region and that means investing in measures that improve both the safety and efficiency of our network for all road users."