The Western Australian government has announced a record $56.91 million in funding to deliver road safety upgrades at more than 100 sites across the state, marking the largest investment ever made through the State Black Spot and Safer Roads programs.
Transport minister Rita Saffioti confirmed the major boost, which includes $26.91 million for the 2025–26 State Black Spot Program and $30 million for the Safer Roads Program. The upgrades span both metropolitan and regional WA, with 54 of the projects located outside Perth.
“Today’s announcement represents the biggest investment we’ve ever made through these two critical road safety programs,” Saffioti says.
“Improving road safety is a high priority for our government, which is why we continue to make significant investments to upgrade roads across Western Australia.
“We know that small changes can make a massive difference when it comes to road safety, and the investment we’re announcing today will support upgrades at more than 100 locations around the state.
“This significant investment complements the work we’re already doing through the landmark Regional Road Safety Program, which has seen around $1 billion invested since 2020, and roughly 10,000 kilometres of our State’s regional road network upgraded with safety treatments like sealed shoulder and audible edge lines.”
In addition to the government’s contribution, local governments will chip in a further $8.46 million to support projects on local roads. The combined effort takes the total investment into WA road safety initiatives to over $800 million.
The projects range from simple safety enhancements like better signage and pavement markings, to major infrastructure upgrades including new roundabouts, passing lanes, and intersection realignments.
Some key upgrades funded through the State Black Spot Program include: $1.535 million to widen Goldfields Highway and improve turning lanes and signage in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, $1.718 million to widen narrow seal and clear vegetation on Hairpin Road in Busselton and $728,000 for a new roundabout at Wellard Road and Henley Boulevard in Kwinana.
$1.173 million will be used to improve the Beeliar Drive and Dunraven Drive intersection in Cockburn, $400,000 to seal and upgrade French Street, including lighting and pedestrian facilities in Carnarvon, $207,789 to widen approaches and remove roadside hazards in Corrigin and $536,600 to install traffic signals at Hartman and Prindeville Drives in Wanneroo.
The Safer Roads Program will fund larger projects on state-managed highways, such as: $6.2 million to construct a new passing lane on Albany Highway (Bedfordale South), $3.4 million for a northbound passing lane on Brand Highway (Boothendarra), $1.72 million for a southbound passing lane and seal widening on South Western Highway (Harvey North) and $1.13 million for culvert widening and other enabling works on Victoria Highway.
Road safety minister Reece Whitby says the upgrades target sites with a known crash history or a high risk of serious incidents.
“Investing in a record amount of critical upgrades including new street signs, passing lanes and roundabouts shows our commitment to improving road safety in WA,” Whitby says,
“These sites have a proven crash history or are high risk for drivers, which is why the Cook Government is ramping up its efforts to fund important projects like these.
“Despite another devastating year so far in road fatalities, we’re working hard in delivering road upgrades, increasing the safety for all drivers across our state.”
The full list of funded projects is available through the Department of Transport and Main Roads WA.
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