The flood impacted section of the Great Northern Highway between Port Hedland and Broome will re-open to general traffic today following a period of closure due to flooding.
The northern end between Broome and Pardoo is expected to open at 9am local time, with the section from Port Hedland to Pardoo to open at 12pm.
Temporary repairs to the 20-kilometre section between the Strelley River and east of the De Grey River have been carried out in the past few days, enabling the section to be opened under traffic management to all vehicles.
Main Roads WA Chief Operating Officer Des Snook has called on all drivers to remain cautious due to the ongoing nature of the repair works.
“The Strelley to De Grey section of GNH experienced the worst of the flooding from ex-Tropical Cyclone Zelia, with some stripping of the bitumen in one area and some widespread shoulder scouring,” Snook says.
“Temporary repairs have been made to enable a quick re-opening of the highway and a restoration of the connection between Port Hedland and Broome.
“It is important people heed temporary speed limit signs and other advisory signs when travelling through these roadworks.”
The flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Zelia caused multiple key roads in the Pilbara region.
Marble Bar Road and Ripon Hills Road still remain in states of partial or full closure due to the cyclone, with Main Roads yet to release a reopening time for either.
A special permit system to enable triple road trains to travel from Kalgoorlie into South Australai and the Northern Territory to access the Kimberley from the Top End has been under way, with convoys of trucks travelling from Port Hedland to Broome along the Great Northern Highway under escort.
“In emergencies such as this Main Roads works as quickly as possible to make safe important road connections once flood waters recede, and we thank road users and the general public for their patience,” Snook says.
The latest information on the state’s road closures is available here.
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