Major upgrades continue to take shape on this Perth to Kalgoorlie link, with a $24 million contract awarded for an 11-kilometre section between Southern Cross and Ghooli, southwest of Kalgoorlie.
The contract is part of the broader $250 million Great Eastern Highway Upgrade program, which aims to improve various sections of the highway through the Wheatbelt and Goldfields-Esperance regions. Upgrades will include overtaking lanes, intersection improvements, bridge replacement, road widening and shoulder sealing.
“Great Eastern Highway is a vital freight link for Western Australians, which is why this extensive program of upgrades is so critical,” said WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.
“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.”
Work on the 11-kilometre section between Southern Cross and Ghooli will include realignment, reconstruction, overlay and widening of the Highway to 11 metres.
Other works underway as part of the broader program of works are:
- 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.
“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,” added Senator for Western Australia Varun Ghosh.
The staged upgrade program will continue along the Highway until 2028.