Question regarding the status and timeline for upgrading the Geraldton-Mullewa road to accommodate road trains, highlighting safety concerns. The answer acknowledges the need for improvements but lacks a concrete timeline, citing budget considerations.

AnsweredQoN 915Legislative Council
Asked
11 December 2001
Portfolio
Planning and Infrastructure

QuestionView source ↗

GERALDTON-MULLEWA ROAD
The Geraldton to Mullewa road has been broadened and upgraded as far as Ambania Road and is now suitable for road trains, or “triples”. The portion between Ambania Road and Mullewa remains a single road and, according to Main Roads Western Australia, is unsuitable for the 54.3 metre long road train triples it has sustained over the past three years. (1) What is the status of the Government’s past proposals to broaden and upgrade the 40 kilometres of road between Ambania Road and Mullewa? (2) When will the road between Ambania and Mullewa be broadened and upgraded so that it is suitable and safe to carry the road train triples as well as commuter traffic? Hon G.T. GIFFARD

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(2) Some clarification of Hon Frank Hough’s question is required. The Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road is an approved route for long combination vehicles up to a maximum length of 53.5 metres, and has been for a number of years. The minister raised concerns with Main Roads about the operation of these vehicles and undertook extensive performance checks earlier this year. As a result, an 80 kilometre per hour maximising speed limit on all combinations exceeding 36.5 metres in length travelling between Geraldton and Mullewa was imposed as a condition of permit operations in October 2001. This action, together with the modification of some vehicle combinations, has to a large extent addressed the concerns raised. It is acknowledged that further improvement of this road is required and Main Roads has undertaken preliminary designs and stockpiled material for future upgrading works. Although there are no funds programmed in the current financial year for the Mullewa section, consideration for funding will be given as part of the normal preparation for the coming budget.
(1) What is the status of the Government’s past proposals to broaden and upgrade the 40 kilometres of road between Ambania Road and Mullewa? (2) When will the road between Ambania and Mullewa be broadened and upgraded so that it is suitable and safe to carry the road train triples as well as commuter traffic? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: (1)-(2) Some clarification of Hon Frank Hough’s question is required. The Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road is an approved route for long combination vehicles up to a maximum length of 53.5 metres, and has been for a number of years. The minister raised concerns with Main Roads about the operation of these vehicles and undertook extensive performance checks earlier this year. As a result, an 80 kilometre per hour maximising speed limit on all combinations exceeding 36.5 metres in length travelling between Geraldton and Mullewa was imposed as a condition of permit operations in October 2001. This action, together with the modification of some vehicle combinations, has to a large extent addressed the concerns raised. It is acknowledged that further improvement of this road is required and Main Roads has undertaken preliminary designs and stockpiled material for future upgrading works. Although there are no funds programmed in the current financial year for the Mullewa section, consideration for funding will be given as part of the normal preparation for the coming budget.
(2) When will the road between Ambania and Mullewa be broadened and upgraded so that it is suitable and safe to carry the road train triples as well as commuter traffic? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: (1)-(2) Some clarification of Hon Frank Hough’s question is required. The Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road is an approved route for long combination vehicles up to a maximum length of 53.5 metres, and has been for a number of years. The minister raised concerns with Main Roads about the operation of these vehicles and undertook extensive performance checks earlier this year. As a result, an 80 kilometre per hour maximising speed limit on all combinations exceeding 36.5 metres in length travelling between Geraldton and Mullewa was imposed as a condition of permit operations in October 2001. This action, together with the modification of some vehicle combinations, has to a large extent addressed the concerns raised. It is acknowledged that further improvement of this road is required and Main Roads has undertaken preliminary designs and stockpiled material for future upgrading works. Although there are no funds programmed in the current financial year for the Mullewa section, consideration for funding will be given as part of the normal preparation for the coming budget.
Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: (1)-(2) Some clarification of Hon Frank Hough’s question is required. The Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road is an approved route for long combination vehicles up to a maximum length of 53.5 metres, and has been for a number of years. The minister raised concerns with Main Roads about the operation of these vehicles and undertook extensive performance checks earlier this year. As a result, an 80 kilometre per hour maximising speed limit on all combinations exceeding 36.5 metres in length travelling between Geraldton and Mullewa was imposed as a condition of permit operations in October 2001. This action, together with the modification of some vehicle combinations, has to a large extent addressed the concerns raised. It is acknowledged that further improvement of this road is required and Main Roads has undertaken preliminary designs and stockpiled material for future upgrading works. Although there are no funds programmed in the current financial year for the Mullewa section, consideration for funding will be given as part of the normal preparation for the coming budget.
(1)-(2) Some clarification of Hon Frank Hough’s question is required. The Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road is an approved route for long combination vehicles up to a maximum length of 53.5 metres, and has been for a number of years. The minister raised concerns with Main Roads about the operation of these vehicles and undertook extensive performance checks earlier this year. As a result, an 80 kilometre per hour maximising speed limit on all combinations exceeding 36.5 metres in length travelling between Geraldton and Mullewa was imposed as a condition of permit operations in October 2001. This action, together with the modification of some vehicle combinations, has to a large extent addressed the concerns raised. It is acknowledged that further improvement of this road is required and Main Roads has undertaken preliminary designs and stockpiled material for future upgrading works. Although there are no funds programmed in the current financial year for the Mullewa section, consideration for funding will be given as part of the normal preparation for the coming budget.
The minister raised concerns with Main Roads about the operation of these vehicles and undertook extensive performance checks earlier this year. As a result, an 80 kilometre per hour maximising speed limit on all combinations exceeding 36.5 metres in length travelling between Geraldton and Mullewa was imposed as a condition of permit operations in October 2001. This action, together with the modification of some vehicle combinations, has to a large extent addressed the concerns raised. It is acknowledged that further improvement of this road is required and Main Roads has undertaken preliminary designs and stockpiled material for future upgrading works. Although there are no funds programmed in the current financial year for the Mullewa section, consideration for funding will be given as part of the normal preparation for the coming budget.
It is acknowledged that further improvement of this road is required and Main Roads has undertaken preliminary designs and stockpiled material for future upgrading works. Although there are no funds programmed in the current financial year for the Mullewa section, consideration for funding will be given as part of the normal preparation for the coming budget.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more