The Wilman Wadandi Highway in Western Australia’s south-west region has officially been opened, with traffic set to take to the road on Monday, December 16.
The four-lane 27-kilometre highway – also known as the Bunbury Outer Ring Road – is expected to divert roughly 15,000 vehicles from Bunbury roads every day and shave travel times around the region by roughly 20 minutes.
The new road includes five bridges, four grade-separated interchanges, 19 fauna crossings and avoids 13 sets of traffic lights.
Minor works including local road, landscaping and tie-in works are ongoing.
“The opening of the Wilman Wadandi Highway marks a significant milestone for Western Australia, representing one of the largest investments in regional infrastructure ever undertaken in the state’s south-west,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King says.
“This highway will transform travel for freight, tourists and locals by reducing congestion, improving safety and enhancing connectivity across the region.”
The $1.46 billion project was jointly funded by the state ($356.7 million) and federal ($1.1 billion) governments and saw over $558 million spent with local businesses.
4500 jobs were supported during the construction phase, with $54 million spent with Aboriginal businesses.
“We’ve seen significant growth around Bunbury, and the clash of local traffic with tourist and freight traffic heading to the south-west was no longer sustainable,” WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti says.
“The Wilman Wadandi Highway will reduce congestion on local Bunbury roads and make the commute to and from the south-west around 20 minutes faster for thousands of motorists every day.
“This is the biggest road project we have delivered in the south-west, and will ensure our road network remains safe, efficient and reliable for many decades to come.”
Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke says the transformative effect of the completed project on the region cannot be understated.
“The Wilman Wadandi Highway’s opening represents a brighter future for the south-west, improving how residents and businesses connect with the wider region,” Clarke says.
“This project is an example of how infrastructure can transform communities, from reducing freight traffic on local roads to boosting tourism in our region.
“As motorists adjust to the new alignment, I encourage everyone to drive safely, follow signage and appreciate the benefits this highway will bring to the south-west.”
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