Contract awarded for Great Northern Highway bridges replacement

Three single lane bridges on the Great Northern Highway between Halls Creek and Kununurra in Western Australia are close to being replaced following the award of the contract to deliver the works. 

Fortec Australia Pty Ltd has been contracted to undertake the delivery of safety improvements on the existing single lane bridges over Arthur Creek, Frog Hollow Creek and Tickalara Creek. 

“The long-awaited bridge improvements on Great Northern Highway in eastern Kimberley are becoming a reality with a contract awarded to construct three bridges over Arthur Creek, Frog Hollow Creek and Tickalara Creek. 

“The project will support the continued growth of the Western Australian economy by improving the efficiency, safety and reliability of Great Northern Highway between Port of Broome and Port of Wyndham. 

“It will also support regional economic development by encouraging the continued development of the regional tourism industry through improved travel times, travel experience and reliability,” WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said. 

Project map (source: Main Roads WA)

New dual-lane bridges are going to be built to replace three of the remaining 13 single-lane bridges in the Kimberley region. 

Upgrading and replacing these bridges will significantly reduce the risk of head-on collisions at each of the bridge locations. 

The Australian and Western Australian Governments are jointly funding this $33 million bridge replacement project on an 80:20 basis. 

“This is great news for the people of these communities who depend on reliable and safe travel and freight transport links between and beyond these localities. 

“Project like this are important to not only assist employment and businesses in the communities these bridges connect, but also to provide better infrastructure and safer roads lasting long into the future. 

“The Australian Government is pleased to be co-funding these much-needed bridge replacements, effectively reducing safety hazards and streamlining passenger travel and freight transport links between these essential communities,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

Construction on the bridges is set to commence in mid-2023. 

This project will complement the New Fitzroy River Bride project that is already underway. You can read more about this project here. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Government of Western Australia – Media Statements; Main Roads Western Australia