The Western Australian Government has handed down the 2023-24 State Budget, which includes $5.3 billion for regional road projects and $5.9 billion for METRONET projects.
$5.3 billion will be invested into regional roads over the next four years, with major investments including $1.35 billion for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road, $380 million for the Manuwarra Red Dog Highway (Stage 4), $275 million for the Great Northern Highway – Bindoon Bypass – Construct new alignment and $250 million Great Eastern Highway upgrades.
Other projects also include $215 million for the Albany Ring Road, $120 million for the Marble Bar Road Upgrade, $115 million for the Bussell Highway Duplication, $76 million for the Port Hedland Airport Deviation and $55 million for the Indian Ocean Drive – Jurien Bay to Brand Highway.
Funding has also been allocated to improving road safety. Funding has been committed over the next four years for different initiatives, including $162 million per year for the Safer Roads and Bridges Program, $299 million per year for the Resealing Program and $20 million per year for the Rail Crossing program.
A further $175 million will be invested in the jointly-funded State-Commonwealth Regional Road Safety Program, with around 8500 kilometres of regional roads to be upgraded by mid-2025.
Works to seal the Outback Way also continue, with 222 kilometres of priority sections to be sealed through to 2026-27 with $150 million allocated over the next four years.
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Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the road projects would help to provide local employment opportunities, while also increasing the safety and efficiency of road connections throughout the regions.
“The projects we are delivering will cut travel times, make our roads safer, and drive economic growth by improving the movement of freight by road, providing opportunities for local businesses and creating local jobs,” Saffioti said.
In total, $11.2 billion was announced for regional infrastructure.
More money for METRONET
The 2023-24 State Budget also included $5.9 billion for the Western Australian and Federal government’s METRONET program, the single largest investment in public transport in Perth’s history.
The State Budget investment will see an expansion of Perth’s public transport network to include 23 stations, 16 level crossing removals and 72 kilometres worth of new rail connections.
The $5.9 billion investment program consists of funding for: the Morley-Ellenbrook Line ($620 million), Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal ($467 million), Byford Rail Extension ($333 million), Yanchep Rail Extension ($318 million), Thornlie-Cockburn Link ($220 million) and the New Bayswater Station ($83 million).
The investment also boosts local manufacturing and jobs through the delivery of locally built and manufactured C-series railcars with the first C-series train beginning operations later this year. The C-series will run along Joondalup and Mandurah lines and then further north along the Yanchep Rail Extension once complete, which is due for completion at the end of 2023, with services commencing in the new year.