Australian government’s Department of Infrastructure and Transport is undertaking construction of AUD280 million ($291.23 million) Great Eastern Highway Widening project in Western Australia, which is on track for completion in June 2013.
The Great Eastern Highway Widening project involves widening the road between Kooyong Road and the Tonkin Highway from four to six lanes. The project will ease congestion along the Highway by increasing its carrying capacity by almost 70% between Kooyong Road and the Tonkin Highway from 50,000 to 85,000 vehicles a day.
The project will complement other improvements to the Highway, such as construction of a new interchange at the intersection with the Roe Highway, which was completed in 2012. The project is part of the AUD3.7 billion ($3.85 billion) capital works program, which is being undertaken by Western Australia’s Department of Transport across the state over the past five years.
The Great Eastern Highway Widening project is being jointly funded by an AUD224 million ($233.3 million) grant from the Federal Labor Government and an AUD56 million ($58.33 million) financing from the WA Liberal-National State Government. The project has created more than 230 jobs in the region.