Local contractor starts stage three of $30M South Coast Highway works

The $30 million upgrade of South Coast Highway between Albany and Jerramungup in WA is progressing as the third stage begins.

Local WA contractor Ertech was awarded the contract for these works in October. Construction will include the reconstruction and widening of the highway, and building two passing lanes between Bluff Creek Road and Kojaneerup West Road.

Staged upgrades along the highway have been ongoing since the start of 2019.

Road safety improvements have included:

Stage one: Mead Road section – widening the pavement from seven to 11 metres between Kilarney Road and Monty’s Leap Winery, and construction of a westbound passing lane approximately 2.5 kilometres west of Kalgan River Bridge (completed June 2019).
Stage two: Kalgan section – widening the pavement from seven to 11 metres between Monty’s Leap Winery and the Kalgan River Bridge (completed April 2020).

The project is due for completion in May 2021, when complete it will have supported 150 direct and indirect jobs during construction.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said this stage has been designed to optimise benefits for a variety of road users, including the heavy vehicle industry as South Coast Highway is an important freight transport corridor servicing the ports of Albany and Esperance.

“Once completed, the entire program of works along South Coast Highway will provide safer travelling opportunities and improve transport efficiencies in the Great Southern region,” Saffioti said.