JUST when many townsfolk thought it would never become a reality, work on the Northam Bypass has commenced.
Despite fears tourist business might dwindle as a result of less traffic driving through, Northam Mayor Jan Smith said the bypass would have a positive impact on the town.
“Up to 700 trucks per day will be removed from the main street of Northam,” Ms Smith said.
Town of Northam CEO Don Burnett said the local community had strongly backed the project.
“There is an air of optimism that, once the bypass is completed, the main street will become more user friendly,” Mr Burnett said.
He said, once the bypass was finished and trucks removed from the main street, landscaping and beautification works would be a top priority.
“Council is conscious of the benefits of attracting more tourists to the town and this is seen as an area where growth can occur with strong economic benefits,” he said.
The council, in conjunction with Main Roads WA, has started the process of assessing traffic flows post-bypass.
The project is in the first stage of a full redevelopment of the Northam CBD area including Fitzgerald Street.
