THE federal government is spending an extra $868 million on road and rail projects in Western Australia over the next four years as part of a $3.8 billion dollar national infrastructure stimulus package.
Key existing projects that will be brought forward as a result of the funding boost include the Bunbury Outer Ring Road, Albany Ring Road, Karratha to Tom Price Corridor, Tonkin Highway Gap and Port Augusta to Perth corridor.
The money will also be spent on new projects including the Lakelands train station on the Mandurah line and widening the Mitchell Freeway southbound between Hodges Drive and Hepburn Avenue.
It’s hoped the latter project will improve safety on the freeway after 560 crashes – including one fatality – were recorded between 2014 and 2018.
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READ NOWPremier Mark McGowan said the package of works was expected to create about 1000 jobs.
“This new agreement with the Commonwealth comes on top of the almost 500 road and Metronet (rail) projects currently underway or in the pipeline,” Mr McGowan said.
“When complete it will be an unprecedented transformation of our transport network.”