The Western Australian Government has secured funding by the Commonwealth Government, announcing a $10 million dollar upgrade for key freight roads in the Wheatbelt area.
$10 million will be divided between two packages of works including Toodyay Road at Jingaling Brook and Harper Brook, and Great Eastern Highway near El Caballo in WA.
Toodyay Road will undergo $7 million worth of upgrades, with 3.5 kilometres of reconstruction works around Jingaling Brook and two kilometres of widening works at Harper Brook.
Audible edge lines and a one-metre wide centreline treatment will be installed to reduce head-on crashes, while a westbound overtaking lane will also be constructed approximately 14 kilometres outside of Toodyay.
The project is expected to create and support approximately 45 local jobs and is jointly funded by the State and Federal governments.
An additional $3 million will be spent replacing an ageing bridge on Great Eastern Highway over Coates Gully near El Caballo, with the jointly funded project expected to create up to 20 jobs.
The bridge carries approximately 6,400 vehicles per day and is on a critical freight route to the Eastern States, with 17 per cent of traffic being heavy vehicles.
Rita Saffioti, WA Transport Minister said the McGowan Government is committed to upgrading and maintaining its regional roads, which is why she welcomes the additional investment in key regional infrastructure by the Commonwealth Government.
“Toodyay Road is a key route out to the Wheatbelt, and this funding will improve safety and efficiency while also creating and supporting local jobs,” she said.
“Great Eastern Highway is a key freight route to the Eastern States and the section near El Caballo carries up to 6,400 vehicles daily, many of which are heavy vehicles,
“We are also investing significant funds to widen two road over rail bridges between Walgoolan and Southern Cross on Great Eastern Highway, which will create and support regional jobs.”