The WA Government is working with the transport industry to identify and prioritise upgrades to rest area facilities in regional Western Australia, as well as minor roads upgrades.
The industry working group has identified 17 initial locations for improvements, costing $14 million with works to start in June 2021, subject to approval by the Commonwealth Government.
The program of improvements was determined by a working group involving Main Roads WA and peak industry bodies including the Transport Workers’ Union, the Western Roads Federation and the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of WA.
Key works identified include:
- Provision of ablution facilities at ten locations on key freight routes, near Bunbury, Northam, Port Hedland, Northampton, Exmouth, Wubin and Marble Bar (more than $2 million);
- Expansion of the Newman road train assembly area and new ablution facilities ($6 million);
- Sealing of existing gravel parking near Auski roadhouse ($3.2 million);
- Sealing and extension of parking at Leonora and provision of toilet facilities ($1.5 million); and
- Sealing of an existing parking area near Karijini to separate heavy and light vehicles ($950,000).
The group will continue identifying projects on key regional routes that would benefit from the program, which is jointly funded by the Federal and State Governments.
Source: WA Government