Preferred proponent for $52M Coolgardie-Esperance Highway announced

The Western Australian Government has announced the preferred proponent for the 25- kilometre section of Coolgardie-Esperance Highway works.

Highway Construction will perform the upgrade between the Goldfields Highway intersection and Widgiemooltha, known as Emu Rocks South, supporting approximately 90 jobs.

Upgrades are expected to boost road safety and regional jobs in the area.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian Government was funding shovel-ready regional projects to get money flowing into jobs and businesses as soon as possible.

“Our focus is on getting people back into work quickly, which is why we have committed $1.5 billion to prioritise shovel-ready projects and targeted road safety works that can boost the economy and support jobs immediately,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Western Australian Minister for Transport and Planning Rita Saffioti said the project formed part of the McGowan Government’s $80 million investment to upgrade road infrastructure and support local jobs in the Goldfields-Esperance region.

“Over 290,000 vehicles use this remote stretch of road every year, of which nearly 35 per cent are heavy vehicles,” Saffioti said.

“This critical upgrade will significantly improve safety for locals, tourists and freight operators alike.”

Federal Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson said works included constructing a northbound and southbound passing lane north of Widgiemooltha, upgrading intersections at Goldfields Highway and Kingswood Street, and widening and sealing road shoulders.

“The Coolgardie-Esperance Highway at Emu Rocks forms part of the Perth-Adelaide route on the National Land Transport Network,” Wilson said.

Works on the project will also include replacement and extension of culverts and installation of signage, line marking and audio tactile edge and centre lines.

Construction is due to start in December 2020 and completion is expected by April 2022.

The $52 million project is jointly funded with the Federal Government committing $41.6 million and the Western Australian Government $10.4 million.