Funding has been secured from the Australian Government to jump start construction on the first and second stages of the $85 million Bussell Highway Duplication project in Western Australia.
“This is an important project for the South-West region that will support local jobs, provide opportunities for local businesses to tender on the project and stimulate the local economy.
“With funding in place for this project, and construction of the Bunbury Outer Ring Road commencing next year, travel within the South-West region will soon become safer than ever before,” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said.
Stage 1 of the project will deliver a second carriageway on a 5-kilometre section of Bussell Highway between Capel Bypass and Hutton Road as well as reconstruction of a part of the existing road.
The second stage, on the other hand, will deliver a 12-kilometre second carriageway between and three bridges between Hutton Road and Busselton.
Works on Stage 1 is anticipated to commence in October of this year, while preparation works – including design and environmental approvals – for Stage 2 will continue to progress.
“This project will be great for local residents who use the highway for their daily commute as well as for the thousands of visitors who travel down to holiday in our region.
“Completing stage one of this remaining 17-kilometre section is the first step to providing an uninterrupted, 46-kilometre dual carriageway between Bunbury and Busselton, significantly improving travel times and improving safety for local residents and tourists,” Bunbury MLA Don Punch said.
The Bussell Highway Duplication project is expected to support up to 570 direct and indirect jobs during the first stage of construction.
Once completed, the additional lanes will increase capacity and safety along the highway for the 15,000 vehicles that pass through it each day.
“Delivering this much needed project will create significant employment opportunities for local people, and adds to the McGowan Government’s significant investment in the South-West region of our State.
“Duplication of Bussell Highway ensures that the safety and travel time benefits of Bunbury Outer Ring Road will be enjoyed by road users travelling to Busselton and beyond,” Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray said.
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Source: Government of Western Australia; Main Roads WA; ABC News; Road Traffic Technology