$30 million spent on highway

A $30 million upgrade of South Coast Highway starts this month with reconstruction, widening and addition of an overtaking lane north-east of Albany.

Announced on Monday, the $30 million project will include upgrades to a 2.3km stretch of road near Killarney Road, about 13km from Albany adjacent to Bakers Junction.

A westbound passing lane will also be installed, and the Mead Road intersection upgraded.

It is the first in a series of road upgrades planned for the region over the next three years.

WA’s Densford Civil won the $6.4 million State Government contract. The firm has completed several major road projects in Perth recently, including upgrading a Perth Airport runway and building and repairing bridges across regional WA.

Work will begin this month, with Premier Mark McGowan’s office flagging it to finish by May.

Mr McGowan said the upgrades should address safety concerns and improve freight and tourist routes. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said upgrades would make the road significantly safer and improve traffic flow.

The road is a major arterial link for trucks accessing Albany’s port.