THE newly upgraded $4.8 million east-west transport link at Mount Barker has been officially opened.
Funded by the WA Government, the $4.8 million project was constructed by the Albany and Plantagenet shire councils and contractors Henry Walker Eltin.
It involved major upgrading of Settlement Road to the south-east of Mount Barker.
Settlement Road provides the major connection between Chester Pass Road and Albany Highway and also the link into the Narrikup abattoir.
Transport Minister Murray Criddle said there were long-term regional benefits in upgrading the entire route.
The strategic importance of the route was identified in the Roads 2020 Regional Development Strategy for the Great Southern.
Currently, the abattoir transports 110,000 tonnes of meat product from the site each year and imports 170,000 tonnes of livestock and other consumables in the same period.
Kojoneerup West Road, linking South Coast Highway with Chillinup Road and Chester Pass Road, will also be upgraded in the new financial year.
“The project dovetails with Main Roads planning for road transport in the region which is expected to double to six million tonnes per annum by 2008,” Mr Criddle said.
