Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 83

❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses community concerns about the lack of overtaking opportunities on the South Western Highway between Bridgetown and Manjimup, seeking information on feasibility studies, crash statistics, and criteria for overtaking lane construction. The answer details upgrades on a larger section of the highway and future plans, but doesn't directly address the specific concerns raised.

AnsweredQoN 83Legislative Assembly

Asked

20 May 2025

Member

Mr Bevan Eatts

Portfolio

Transport

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the section of the South Western Highway between Bridgetown and Manjimup, and ongoing community concerns regarding the lack of safe overtaking opportunities on this route, and I ask : (a) Has the Government undertaken or commissioned a feasibility study or safety audit in the last five years regarding the potential construction of an overtaking lane on this section of highway : (i) If yes, will the Minister table the findings of this study or audit ; and (ii) If no, will the Minister commit to undertaking such a study as a matter of priority; (b) How many serious or fatal crashes have occurred on this stretch of road in the past five years ; and (c) What criteria must be met for an overtaking lane to be considered, and does the Department consider current safety concerns sufficient to meet those thresholds?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

24 June 2025

Responded by

Minister for Transport

Response time

9 days

(a)-(c) Main Roads consider a range of criteria when assessing whether to construct overtaking lanes.
A number of upgrades have been made to the 244km section of South Western Highway between Bunbury and Walpole.
This includes:
•                an intersection upgrade at Martin Pelusey Road and Hynes Road;
•                seal widening between Waterloo Road and Wireless Road;
•                replacement of the Weld River Bridge;
•                earthworks and extension of drainage in preparation for pavement widening between Emerald Road and Telephone Road;
•                overlay between Martin Pelusey Road and Waterloo Road; and
•                construction of a new roundabout at Vittoria Road.
Widening of the Highway between Emerald Road and Telephone Road is set to begin this financial year, and construction of two passing lanes in Yornup is planned.
The WA Labor Government has rolled out the most comprehensive road safety program in the State’s history, with 8,500km of regional roads being improved through the Regional Road Safety Program. This will now be expanded to cover roads controlled by local governments.

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