WA budget commits $11.7B for road projects

Perth, WA. Photo by Nathan Hurst on Unsplash

The 2021-22 Western Australia state budget includes $11.7 billion for road projects and road upgrades throughout the state over the next four years.

The funding will include $3 billion for road projects throughout WA in 2021-22, and $4.5 billion for regional roads over the next four years.

Major projects funded and under construction in the 2021-22 State Budget include:

Tonkin Gap works as part of the $1.39 billion Tonkin Corridor Upgrades;
$320 million for the Great Eastern Highway Bypass Interchanges, with works to commence later this year;
$232 million for the Mitchell Freeway Extension (Hester Avenue to Romeo Road);
$76 million for the Mitchell Freeway widening southbound from Hodges Drive to Hepburn Avenue;
$140 million for transforming freeways through the Mitchell Freeway corridor;
$138.6 million for the Stephenson Avenue extension;
$259 million for the Armadale Road Bridge – North Lake Road Flyover;
$852 million for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road;
$175 million for the Albany Ring Road;
$98 million for upgrades to Great Northern Highway at Ord River in the Kimberley;
$36 million for Port Hedland Airport deviation; and
$52 million for Coolgardie Esperance Highway at Emu Rocks.

The $4.5 billion commitment to regional roads includes various projects currently underway such as the Bunbury Outer Ring Road and Great Northern Highway upgrades at Ord River, as well as for future projects.

Major regional projects funded and under construction include:

$852 million for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road;
$175 million for the Albany Ring Road;
$98 million for upgrades to Great Northern Highway at Ord River in the Kimberley;
$36 million for Port Hedland Airport deviation;
$52 million for Coolgardie Esperance Highway at Emu Rocks.

The 2021-22 State Budget also includes funding for projects currently in procurement or planning, including:

$120 million to upgrade and seal 100 kilometres of Marble Bar Road;
$380 million to construct and seal Manuwarra Red Dog Highway Stage 4;
$250 million for upgrades to Great Eastern Highway at Coates Gully, between Walgoolan to Southern Cross, and between Ghooli to Benari;
$55 million to upgrade Indian Ocean Drive between Jurien Bay and Brand Highway.

Funding for road safety projects include $16 million for the Safer Roads and Bridges Program in Perth and Peel; and $104 million for the Resealing Program in Perth and Peel.

“The 2021-22 State Budget highlights our focus on building a long-term and sustainable program to safeguard WA’s economy and deliver the necessary upgrades to improve road safety across the regions,” WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said.

“We have a number of major projects under construction across regional WA – from the Kimberley in the north, to Albany in the south – to support local jobs and improve safety.”

Cyclists will enjoy a record funding of $265 million by the state government for cycling and pedestrian infrastructure over the next four years.

“We have a record amount of spending underway to expand our cycling network with $265 million allocated over the next four years, with key projects including the Fremantle Principal Shared Path and Kwinana Freeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Path,” Ms Saffioti said.

In revealing the details of the State Budget, Premier Mark McGowan stood by his tough border stance, which has continued throughout the pandemic.

McGowan revealed a $5.6 billion surplus, the biggest surplus in the state’s history, which has been fuelled largely by iron ore. He also attributed the result to his “zero-Covid policy”, with WA’s economy continuing to boom, while eastern states struggle through continuous lockdowns and restrictions.

“By returning the budget to a sustainable footing, my government is able to invest in a major package of roads and cycling projects to improve the way we travel about the state,” said McGowan.

“We have a number of major projects under construction, including the Mitchell Freeway Extension and widening, as well as a number of projects in planning, creating a pipeline of work for industry over the next four years.”