Southern Roads wins $2.8m contract

The state government has awarded Southern Roads Services a $2.8 million contract to improve a 2.5 kilometre section of South Western Highway between Burekup and Picton.

The works included minor earthworks followed by widening of the road pavement layer; sealing of the widened section; and installation of signs and line marking.

The construction works will commence later this month and are expected to be completed by April 2010.

Full announcement below:

$2.8million upgrade commences on the South Western Highway
Portfolio: Transport

Transport Minister Simon O'Brien announced today that Southern Roads Services had won the $2.8million contract to improve a 2.5km section of South Western Highway between Burekup and Picton.

"South Western Highway is an important route servicing the communities of the State's South- West, including the region's many industries," Mr O'Brien said.

"The project aims to improve road safety by rectifying surface roughness, providing sealed shoulders and increasing overtaking opportunities.

"The current road has a 7.4m wide seal with narrow unsealed shoulders, rough surface and very poor drainage.

"This type of road environment has an increased crash risk for road users compared to roads constructed to current standards and this can lead to significantly higher social and economic costs to the Western Australian community."

The new works extend from east of the Dowdells Line intersection to the Waterloo intersection.

The project would provide two new passing lanes and improve the Dowdells Line intersection as well as an overlay of existing road pavement and providing 1.5m and 1.0m sealed shoulders.

The works included minor earthworks followed by widening of the road pavement layer; sealing of the widened section; and installation of signs and line marking.

The construction works will commence later this month and are expected to be completed by April 2010.