The WA government has unveiled its plan to reconnect Great Northern Highway after severe flooding caused damage to sections of the road near Fitzroy Crossing.
The highway, which links Western Australia (WA) and the Northern Territory (NT), is crucial for the transport industry but has been disrupted by recent severe flood events which washed away whole sections of the highway that run through the small town of Fitzroy Crossing.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti says the government will implement a barge system across the river, which can be adapted with portable pontoons when river levels fall too low.
The barge will be used while Main Roads, the state’s road authority, constructs a low-level floodway crossing for a more permanent solution.
Saffioti says the government owes a lot to the locals for working with them on the issue.
“I also want to thank the community for their patience – we will work as fast as we can to implement these solutions”
Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna says there is much to learned from such a rare weather event.
“It is now clear there is a need for a new bridge. This will be a long-term project and I recognise the need for interim solutions in the meantime, that apply learnings from this flood event.
“The combination of barges and the construction of a low level-crossing means we can adapt to the variable conditions we experience in the Kimberley across the year, including changes to the river level.
“While this has been a devastating event for the Kimberley, there are opportunities for our community to benefit from the training and employment that will come with the rebuild effort, and I’ll be advocating strongly to relevant Ministers within our government to make sure that happens,” says D’Anna.
Main Roads says it will brief transport operators on the barge operation and assess options for breakdown areas. A new, dual-lane bridge is planned, but the wet season makes long-term solutions difficult.
Main Roads will also fast-track procurement to select a preferred contractor. The road repair crew continues work on the damaged section in Willare, with temporary gravel roads to reconnect Broome, Derby and Fitzroy Crossing.
“Assessments of the existing bridge have been completed, and Main Roads has determined that given the significant damage, a full rebuild is necessary,” says Saffioti.