GG 17/13
5 March 2013
The duplicated Dampier Highway is now complete and open for business, improving traffic flow and safety.
Officiating at the unveiling today of a special plaque to mark completion of the project, Special Minister of State Gary Gray said that the 12.5km highway duplication from Balmoral Road West in Karratha to Burrup Peninsular would significantly reduce traffic delays.
Traffic experts hoped that the number of crashes would be reduced by up to 50 per cent in the first year.
“This $112.8 million duplication project will be a welcome relief to local residents and industry as congestion and travel times from Karratha to Dampier and the Burrup Peninsula are set to decrease by 25 per cent during peak periods,” he said.
The Dampier Highway duplication would support the development of the community and industry with improved connectivity between Karratha and the industrial areas on the Burrup Peninsula.
“The project will also benefit heavy haulage operators who will now have a safer and more efficient access through to the industrial areas on the Burrup Peninsula,” Mr Gray said. “This section of road carries almost 10 000 vehicles per day on weekdays, of which 14 per cent are heavy vehicles including 53.5m long road trains.
“In a first for the region, three traffic signals were installed as part of the project, at Madigan Road, Exploration Drive and Burrup Road to assist with peak hour traffic demands.”
Work on the duplication Stages 2 - 6 commenced in April 2011 by Main Roads’ Contractor Highway Works Albem Joint Venture. Stage 1 was completed in 2009.
Mr Gray thanked the WA Government for its participation in the jointly funded project.
“The Federal Government committed $91.7 million to this $123.4 million project – so commuters on the completed Dampier Highway can now enjoy better access to the industrial areas of the Dampier Port and Burrup Peninsula, a safer road and faster commute even with heavy vehicle traffic on the road.
“This is just a fraction of the $3.7 billion that we are providing to Nation Building Program projects in Western Australia to rebuild and renew the State’s road, rail and public transport infrastructure.”
The upgrades would minimise the impact of through traffic.
Recent works had included a second carriageway on Dampier Highway, reconstructed nine intersections and duplicated the bridge over Seven Mile Creek.
“The completed Dampier Highway will reduce conflict between business, residential and heavy haulage vehicles, giving the community safer infrastructure to support local, tourist and freight traffic.”
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