Major safety upgrades are being made to one of the routes most loved by greay nomads, WA’s iconic Indian Ocean Drive.
Work is about to begin on a significant section of the road between Leeman and Brand Highway, north of Perth, as part of a broader $55 million project.
The upgrades will widen the entire 33-kilometre section, realign eight kilometres between Eneabba-Coolimba Road and Freshwater Bay, and construct two new overtaking lanes.
To enable the works to be undertaken safely, a 48-kilometre section of Indian Ocean Drive, between Eneabba-Coolimba Road and Brand Highway, will be temporarily closed for through traffic from next month.
The Pinnacles is one of the many attractions along the Indian Ocean Drive. PIC: Dozza
While there will still be access for local businesses, residents and emergency services, all other motorists will detour via Eneabba-Coolimba Road and Brand Highway for about seven months.
The detour is expected to add 20 minutes to the average journey, but it will enable the upgrades to be completed in nine months instead of 12.
The latest upgrades follow the recent widening of 25-kilometres of Indian Ocean Drive between Jurien Bay and Greenhead last year and the installation of more than 200 kilometres of audible edge and centre lines.
Senator for Western Australia Glenn Sterle said the initiative would make a significant difference.
“This is a fantastic milestone for a project investment by the Australian and Western Australian Governments for the benefit of coastal communities along the northern section of Indian Ocean Drive for years to come,” he said. “The Australian Government is committed to delivering the infrastructure upgrades that Western Australia needs to improve travel times and protect lives and this project is another fine example of that.”
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said that, since 2020, more than $30 million of safety upgrades have been made to Indian Ocean Drive, including the installation of over 200 kilometres of audible edge and centre lines, construction of four overtaking lanes and the installation of safety barriers and new warning, advisory and multi-lingual signage.
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