Work on the second stage of a major upgrade to Great Eastern Highway in the Shire of Mundaring will start in coming weeks following the award of a construction contract.
Georgiou Group has been awarded a $14.5million contract to upgrade 5.2kilometres of the highway between Bilgoman Road in Glen Forrest and Kintore Road in Mahogany Creek.
Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals' Leader and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said works would soon start on Stage 2 of the major safety upgrade along the Great Eastern Highway between Bilgoman and Kintore Roads.
"This work will help boost safety on this busy section of the Great Eastern Highway; a road that is a primary east-west freight route for Western Australia and the key route for travel between Perth, the Wheatbelt region and the Goldfields," Mr McCormack said.
"This second stage will build on safety improvements already completed in 2017 as part of Stage 1, further improving efficiency for all road users in this region."
Western Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Rita Saffioti said the Great Eastern Highway between Glen Forest and Mundaring was in need of modernisation, having been built in the 1950s and upgraded to a dual carriageway in the 1970s.
"This section of highway now carries about 25,000 vehicles each day and, with 70 per cent of this traffic generated from the Shire of Mundaring, it is vital that these important upgrades continue to keep pace with traffic volumes," Ms Saffioti said.
"We are listening to the community and in response to feedback, the design for Stage 2 has been refined to minimise clearing by installing safety barriers and locating street lights within the verge where possible."
Federal Member for Hasluck Ken Wyatt AM said construction on the upgrade would begin in October, weather permitting.
"Western Power and Telstra have begun service relocations in the area to ensure the project is ready for construction to begin," Mr Wyatt said.
"This important work includes the relocation of some services and moving street lights, setting foundations for the next stage of the upgrade."
State Member for Kalamunda Matthew Hughes said the community consultation had resulted in positive changes to the road design.
"I am pleased that Main Roads has been prepared to refine the original design of stage two in response to our community feedback to minimise clearing and to protect more vegetation," Mr Hughes said.
The $34million project, which includes Stages 1 and 2, is funded as part of the Australian Government's $11billion investment in road and rail infrastructure in Western Australia.
The project is being jointly delivered by the Australian and Western Australian Governments, with the Australian Government committing $14.66million and the Western Australian Government committing $19.34million.
The project is expected to be completed in mid-2019.
