Western Australia Minister for Transport Troy Buswell

Urgent Works Target Highway’s Safety Issues

Victor P Taffa

• $1 Million for improvement works on the Bindi Bindi bends

The State Government is providing $1 Million in urgent improvement works on the section of Great Northern Highway (GNH) known as the Bindi Bindi bends.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell said this section of the highway was substandard and contained a dangerous mix of a narrow and deteriorating pavement and winding bends.

“On top of this is a significant usage by heavy vehicles, which is steadily growing due to the economic development in the north of our State.” Mr. Buswell said.

“Great Northern Highway is part of the national highway network which is largely a Federal funding responsibility and the ultimate solution will involve an upgrade and realignment of this section of GNH.”

“However, the Federal Government has indicated that funding could not be considered until the Nation Building Program 2 commences in 2014-15.”

The Minister said the decision to allocate the funding followed representations from Agricultural Region MLCs Brian Ellis and Jim Chown on behalf of the local community and road users.

“Mr. Ellis and Mr. Chown have made it clear to me that this work on the Bindi Bindi bends is urgently required, so I am pleased the State is able to make a significant contribution to addressing these safety issues.” Mr. Buswell said.

“Of course we will continue to press the Federal Government on the need to commit to this important project on what is one of the nation’s most strategic road transport routes.”

Fact File

• Work will commence in the coming weeks
• Main Roads currently has a crew in the area undertaking gravel shoulder reconditioning on various sections of GNH between Walebing and Pithara