Premier Alan Carpenter has today announced an additional $110 million in funding to ensure completion of the Indian Ocean Drive to Cervantes, after funding was deferred in this year's state budget.
The latest funding relates to Stage Two of Indian Ocean Drive - the 65km Lancelin- Cervantes sealed coastal road - and means construction can now commence next year, with completion scheduled for 2011.
Construction of Stage One - a $20 million 10km sealed section from Lancelin to Ocean Farms Estate - is on course to be opened early next year.
The significant funding boost brings the State Government's commitment to the major infrastructure project to $145million.
"This new funding enables us to well and truly meet our 2005 promise to complete the Lancelin-Cervantes road by 2011," the Premier said.
"Indian Ocean Drive links communities along the coast from Perth's northern suburbs to Dongara and will become a major Western Australian tourism, holiday and recreational route.
"It provides access to excellent surfing and windsurfing, recreational fishing, wildflowers and other natural attractions including the world famous pinnacles in Nambung National Park.
"Completing this link will accelerate investment and economic development along the coast and will provide drivers with an alternative to the Brand Highway, which is a major freight transport route."
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the Stage Two project would be directly managed by Main Roads, ensuring maximum use of local labour and plant.
"This project presents an excellent opportunity for Main Roads to rebuild its in-house capacity to manage and supervise road construction," Ms MacTiernan said.
Mr Carpenter said WA's continued economic strength had enabled the funds to be allocated ahead of next year's Budget.
"This project is part of our commitment to sharing the benefits of WA's remarkable resources boom across the community and it will help create new jobs and businesses opportunities for the future," he said.
