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Bussell Highway widening funded

Jackson Lavell-LeeBusselton Dunsborough Times
Stages one and two of the widening of Bussell Hwy from Capel to Busselton has been awarded $68 million in Federal Govenrment funding
Camera IconStages one and two of the widening of Bussell Hwy from Capel to Busselton has been awarded $68 million in Federal Govenrment funding Credit: Jackson Lavell-Lee

Stages one and two of the widening of Bussell Highway between Capel and Busselton has received long overdue funding from the Federal Government.

The commitment comes as part of a $1.5 billion national infrastructure package with the Federal Government contributing $68 million of the $85 million needed to complete both stages of the project.

The 17km stretch was named one of the riskiest roads in WA by the RAC last year.

Stage one of the project will construct a second carriageway from the Capel Bypass to Hutton and the second stage will see a second carriageway from Hutton Road to Sues Road.

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Forrest MHR Nola Marino said getting “shovels in the ground” on local construction projects was important for maintaining jobs in the South West.

“Every single job that we support makes a huge difference in our local communities – now and as we navigate out of the pandemic,” Mrs Marino said.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti wrote to her Federal counterpart Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack in March, asking for the project to be fast-tracked after preliminary works were completed.

South West MLC Adele Farina welcomed the announcement after campaigning for the funding for over a decade.

“With more than 15,000 vehicles using the Bussell Highway daily, the construction of the much-awaited second carriageway will make travel along this road safer and will be warmly welcomed by local residents and visitors to the area,” Ms Farina said.

“Once complete, not only will the Bussell Highway dual carriageway greatly improve road safety, it will ensure free-flowing traffic throughout the South West especially at peak times.

Preparation works, including design work and environmental approvals for stage two of the project are continuing.

Vasse MLA Libby Mettam said it was fantastic to have Federal Government funding committed to widening the highway.

“I would like to thank our Federal Member Nola Marino for her support for the funding and the many people, including Helga van Schoor and the 6000 petitioners who have joined me over a number of years in advocating for this important road upgrade,” she said.

“This stretch of highway is a strategic freight and tourism route and it is vital that this road has finally been prioritised by the State Government.”

The petition started by Ms Mettam in March 2017 was heavily supported by Busselton residents.

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