Indigenous businesses a major contributor to new road project

By PETER ROWE

$54 million has been spent with Aboriginal businesses to build a 27-kilometre four-lane highway, which connects two key roads in southwest WA.

Tne Wilman Wadandi Highway will open today delivering a major win for Bunbury locals and people travelling to and from the region.

The new road is expected to divert around 15,000 vehicles from local Bunbury roads every day, reducing congestion and delivering safer and more efficient journeys for locals.

And the road will also shave travel times to and from the South West by around 20 minutes, with drivers now avoiding 13 sets of traffic lights on their journey to key tourism hubs in Margaret River.

“This is the biggest road project we have delivered in the South West, and will ensure our road network remains safe, efficient and reliable for many decades to come,” WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said.

The opening coincides with the peak Summer holiday season, with motorists being encouraged to head to the Main Roads website to familiarise themselves with the new road before beginning their journeys.

The Federal Government committed $1.1 billion to the project, while the WA Government contributed $356.7 million.