The biggest road project ever delivered in the South West region of Western Australia has been officially opened at a ceremony earlier this week.
The new road, called the Wilman Wadandi Highway, is expected to divert around 15,000 vehicles from local Bunbury roads every day, reducing congestion and delivering safer and more efficient journeys for locals.
The road will also shave travel times to and from the South West by around 20 minutes, with drivers now avoiding 13 sets of traffic lights on their journey to key tourism hubs including Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River.
The new road includes five bridges, four grade-separated interchanges, and 19 fauna crossings, representing a significant investment in the region’s transport infrastructure.
“This highway will transform travel for freight, tourists, and locals by reducing congestion, improving safety, and enhancing connectivity across the region,” says Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King.
“Projects like the Wilman Wadandi Highway showcase the Australian Government’s commitment to building infrastructure that delivers long-term benefits for regional communities and strengthens local economies.”
The Wilman Wadandi Highway project has also delivered substantial benefits to the local economy including:
- The creation of 4500 jobs during the construction phase
- More than $558 million has been spent with South West businesses
- $54 million has been spent with Aboriginal businesses
“The highway has provided a much-needed boost to our local economy, supporting hundreds of South West businesses, creating thousands of jobs and safeguarding the long-term future of our Port,” says Bunbury MLA, Don Punch.
“As we celebrate this milestone, I thank the community for their patience and look forward to the highway’s lasting benefits for Bunbury residents and businesses.”
The opening coincides with the peak Summer holiday season, with motorists being encouraged to head to the Main Roads website to familiarise themselves with the new road before beginning their journeys.
Some minor works will still be underway across a range of areas including on some local roads, landscaping, artwork, and minor tie-in works.
The Wilman Wadandi Highway has been jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian governments, underscoring a commitment to the long-term regional growth of the area.
The Australian Government has committed $1.1 billion, while the WA Government has contributed $356.7 million to the $1.46 billion project.