The Federal and West Australian governments have signed off on funding to straighten and widen the Bindi Bindi Curves section of the Great Northern Highway, with the detailed planning already underway.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said this 11 kilometre section of highway has a notorious safety record having been the scene of a number of fatal head-on collisions in recent years.
“We’re determined to make the Great Northern Highway a better and safer road, which is particularly important considering it’s the main link between Perth and Darwin as well as to resources projects in the Pilbara,” Mr Albanese said.
“Importantly, the Bindi Bindi Curves Upgrade builds on work we have already completed between Muchea and Wubin.
“This project is part of the record capital works program which the Federal Government is rolling out across the State. Indeed, we have nearly doubled annual Federal infrastructure spending from $154 to $261 per West Australian.”
The Bindi Bindi Curves Upgrade will be jointly funded by both the Federal ($32 million) and West Australian ($8 million) governments. Work is expected to begin mid-next year and be completed in the second half of 2014.
West Australian Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the State Government had listened to the local communities, as well as freight operators, and was now getting on with the job of fixing this stretch of highway.
“As well as straightening, widening and strengthening the Highway, a new rail crossing at the Balidu-Bindi Bindi Road intersection will also be installed,” Mr Buswell said.
“All up, some 130,000 cubic metres of earth will be removed and once complete, the speed limit one this stretch will be increased from 80 to 110 kilometres an hour and there will be more overtaking opportunities.”
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Great Northern Highway—Bindi Bindi Curves