Around 92-kilometres of Marble Bar Road in the WA’s Pilbara region will receive significant upgrades, as part of a $60 million project.
Marble Bar Road will be upgraded to a two-lane sealed road, aimed at improving road safety, access to remote Aboriginal communities and access to a number of mine sites serviced by the road.
An eight-kilometre deviation around Nullagine will also be constructed, to help improve road safety and reduce noise through the town.
Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel said, “Marble Bar Road is the only link for a number of remote communities in the East Pilbara for food, supplies and essential services.
“During wet season, the road can be closed for up to three months as floodwaters rise, meaning that communities become isolated, and food and provisions have to be transported in by air at significant cost.
“Sealing the road will significantly improve serviceability for the local community and I thank the state government for their ongoing commitment to this project.”
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti added, “The Pilbara is critical to Western Australia’s economy and improving freight productivity.”
The project will be delivered in seven stages, with the first 15-kilometre section near Roy Hill now underway, and work on a further 23km of road expected to commence in the coming weeks.
The upgrades will enable safer travel for all road users, including heavy vehicle operators carting ore from a number of mines in the area.
The new road is also expected to reduce the need for closures due to flooding in the wet season.
The upgrades are expected to be completed by late 2025.