- Regional road safety to receive a $44 million boost
- Planning for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road to receive $12.5 million
- Outback Highway connecting Western Australia with the Northern Territory and Queensland to have $33 million upgrade
The McGowan Government will invest $89 million towards regional roads, including progressing planning for a Bunbury Outer Ring Road and improving safety.
Planning for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road will receive $12.5 million to progress the design of the future project.
The Outer Ring Road is intended to improve safety for road users and reduce freight and passenger vehicle congestion in Bunbury.
It will also offer an efficient freight route, improving access to the Bunbury Port where truck access is impeded.
Another $44 million will be spent on road safety projects in Western Australia's regional areas.
This funding will address road safety issues throughout WA and will be spent over the next three years, generating 280 jobs.
A detailed works program will be developed over the coming 12 months with delivery of projects in 2018-19.
Meanwhile, $33 million has been allocated for further work on the Outback Highway, pending the outcome of a strategic review of the route.
The projects are part of a $2.3 billion Commonwealth-State package made up of reallocated Perth Freight Link funds and a Commonwealth GST top-up payment to be spent on priority road projects.
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
"This announcement includes a significant contribution to improving safety on regional roads where there are high instances of fatalities.
"We will be working closely with regional communities to see where this money is most needed."
Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"This is a win for the whole of Western Australia, where freight, safety and congestion will be improved under this massive program of works.
"The Bunbury Outer Ring Road will improve safety around the port and have flow-on benefits for traffic congestion along Robertson Drive and parts of the Forrest and Bussell highways."
Premier's office - 6552 5000
Transport Minister's office - 6552 5500
