Works commence on three Great Northern Highway upgrades WA

Works have commenced on three Great Northern Highway upgrade packages in Western Australia - the Maggie Creek to Wyndham section in the Kimberley region, the Miling Bypass and the Pithara section.

Maggie Creek to Wyndham

The Wyndham Spur section on the Great Northern Highway provides a sealed access to Wyndham and the Port - while connecting Kununurra and Wyndham - and it serves as a vital route in the East Kimberley region for the local community and for the transport industry.

This section of the Great Northern Highway upgrade is part of the Australian Government’s $600 million investment for the country’s northern road network under the Northern Australia Roads program (NARP).

“Projects delivered under the NARP will play an essential role in supporting the ongoing economic development of our regions across the North, particularly those with expanding mining and agricultural industries.

“The Maggie Creek to Wyndham project will increase employment and business opportunities for the Kimberley region, with a particular focus on creating opportunities for Indigenous people and businesses,” Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan said.

Scope of works for the $56.14 million Maggie Creek to Wyndham section of the Great Northern Highway upgrade will include:

• Reconstruction and realignment of the nearly six kilometres of highway known as ‘Maggie’s Jump Up’, including construction of a northbound passing lane
• Reconstruction of 22 kilometres of highway from Maggie Creek to the Wyndham townsite, as well as drainage improvements
• Under the Roads to Recovery program - Replacement of Bridge No. 5116 on Weaber Plain Road to increase its load carrying capacity

Earlier this year, WBHO Infrastructure has been awarded the contract to deliver this project. Construction on this section of the Great Northern Highway is expected to be completed by late 2018.

Miling Bypass and Pithara section

The Miling Bypass and the Pithara section are two of the nine upgrade packages under the $344 million Muchea to Wubin Upgrade Stage 2 on the Great Northern Highway.

Watpac Civil and Mining Pty Ltd will be delivering the works on Miling Bypass, while a joint venture between Highway Construction and ALBEM will be delivering the upgrade on the Pithara section of the highway.

The Miling Bypass project will include:

• Realignment of Miling West Road to provide a direct access road to the CBH facility from the north of the town
• A southern realignment of Miling Moora Road to avoid floodplains
• Realignment of Miling East Road to provide a staggered T-intersection for safe crossing of the bypass

Once the Miling Bypass is completed, it will improve road safety by removing road trains from the town centre as well as the local primary school.

On the other hand, the Pithara section of the upgrade will include:

• 10.3 kilometres of new highway to be built next to the existing highway south of the Northam-Pithara Road
• 5.7 kilometres of highway widening and upgrade
• Upgrading 1.5 kilometres of the Northam-Pithara Road
• New overtaking lanes
• Intersection improvements at Sheoak Road, Moller Road, Crampton Street, Northam-Pithara Road, Pithara West Road and Pithara East Road

“The Miling Bypass will deliver 7.7 kilometres of new highway, widening and overlay of 1.2 kilometres of the existing Great Northern Highway and widening and construction of 2.5 kilometres of side roads.

“Meanwhile the Pithara section will involve upgrading 16 kilometres of highway including construction of 10 kilometres of new road, six kilometres of widening, overlay works, two new overtaking lanes and a number of intersection improvements,” Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said.

Construction on the both the Miling Bypass and the Pithara section of the Muchea to Wubin upgrade are expected to be completed by mid-2019.

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Source: Government of Western Australia (1, 2), Main Roads WA (1, 2, 3)