Bussell Highway to undergo $1.8m upgrade

A 3.3 kilometre stretch of the Bussell Highway just south of Metricup Roads will be upgraded, with Southern Road Services awarded a $1.86 million contract to carry out widening works.

Planning and Infrastructure minister Alannah MacTiernan said the works were part of the state government's Safer Roads Program, which provided funding for road infrastructure solutions on highways and main roads to address safety problems on the network.

"This work is part of an ongoing program to upgrade Bussell Highway between Vasse and Margaret River and will improve road safety and traffic flow for tourists and locals alike," the minister said.

"The project will also involve the construction of a southbound passing lane between Worgan Road and Harman's Mill Road.

"A five-kilometre section of the highway was widened and two passing lanes installed north of Metricup in 2006 and Main Roads is currently working on the design and land acquisition for the next section north of Cowaramup."

Once the final section north of Cowaramup is completed, priority will move to upgrading a section of highway between Cowaramup and Margaret River.

The contract will be managed by Main Roads South West Region and is scheduled for completion in May 2008.