Joint media statement - Completed upgrades north of Muchea make Great Northern Highway even greater

Upgrades on Great Northern Highway immediately north of Muchea are complete, improving road safety and efficiency for drivers, freight and local communities through newly widened and duplicated sections joining directly onto the NorthLink WA project.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the overall $344.8 million, jointly-funded Great Northern Highway project would improve safety and better connect the Wheatbelt region by upgrading priority sections between Muchea and Wubin.

"This important project is part of the Australian Government's strategy to better connect our regions, improve safety on our roads and make travel much more efficient for freight," Mr McCormack said.

"We are continuing to roll out major projects including this one under our $100 billion infrastructure investment pipeline, which is laying the foundations for economic recovery as our nation reaches the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic."

Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said upgrading Great Northern Highway is a priority for the Western Australian Government.

"This project is essential for the ongoing economic development of Western Australia, creating local jobs and providing a safer route for heavy vehicles," Ms Saffioti said.

"Indeed, with Muchea North and NorthLink WA projects complete, road users can now enjoy improved, free flowing travel from Bayswater through to Chittering via Tonkin Highway and Great Northern Highway; some 55 kilometres."

Federal Member for Pearce Christian Porter said the upgrades to Great Northern Highway would improve safety on the vital stretch of road.

"One of the most important benefits of this upgrade is that it will reduce congestion on Great Northern Highway, making the route much safer," he said.

"The Great Northern Highway plays an important strategic role in connecting the Perth metropolitan area with Australia's north-west, and this project will make this process more efficient.

"Our region has always been a great place to live and work, but the unprecedented investment behind key infrastructure projects like NorthLink WA, coupled with upgrades such as these, has made our region even more accessible and ready for future growth."

Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price said the Muchea North section included the construction of three kilometres of dual carriageway and 10 kilometres of new wider single carriageway through to Chittering Roadhouse.

"As for the final packages of work, the Great Northern Highway Muchea to Wubin upgrades at Walebing and Wubin are progressing well and are expected to be complete later this year," Ms Price said.

"The joint commitment includes funding to undertake planning, land acquisition and environmental assessment for the Bindoon Bypass, which are now also well advanced."

The Australian and Western Australian governments have committed a further $275 million to construct the Bindoon Bypass.

The completion of the upgrades between Muchea and Wubin together with the Bindoon Bypass, once built, will allow triple road train operations to travel south from the existing road train assembly area at Wubin to the new road train assembly area at Muchea, some 218 kilometres further south, avoiding the inefficient double handling currently required.

Transport Minister's office - 6552 5500