Stage 1

Project Description
Project Features
Construction
Other Works
Traffic Impacts
Project Map
Contacts 

Project Description

The Bunbury Port Access Road project is jointly funded by the Federal and State Governments and is designed to provide a more direct link to the Bunbury Inner Harbour and take large trucks off other busy roads used by local traffic.

The Port Access Road will be a public road under the care, control and management of Main Roads.

Stage 1 of the Port Access Road involves the construction of a new road between Picton and the Inner Harbour.  The ultimate development of the Port Access Road will see this road eventually extend south to connect with the future Bunbury Outer Ring Road.

Construction of Stage 1 has commenced and planning for the next stage is underway. 

Project Features

Stage 1 of the Bunbury Port Access Road will link the Boyanup Picton Road and South Western Highway at Picton to Estuary Drive just east of the Preston River bridge.

The main alignment for Stage 1 will be a two lane road and this is expected to be adequate even for the longer term. 

Other features of the current concept for Stage 1 include:-

• A kerbed central median for most of the Port Access Road south of the Australind Bypass to better provide for intersections.

• The installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Alyxia Drive and Australind Bypass as part of a new four-way intersection to create a link to the Port Access Road from the Australind Bypass.  This will include the upgrading of the short section of Australind Bypass from Old Coast Road to just west of Alyxia Drive to three lanes in each direction.

• A major new four-way signalised intersection on the South Western Highway at Picton.  This will include a realignment of the Boyanup Picton Road and a new boom gated railway crossing that will be integrated with the traffic signals. 

• Two new bridges on the Australind Bypass (similar to those over the port railway) to enable the Port Access Road to pass under the Australind Bypass.

• A new roundabout on Estuary Drive at the northern end of the Port Access Road (Stage 1).

The Port Access Road has officially been named Willinge Drive after Mr John Willinge.  Mr Willinge was a long time servant of the Port of Bunbury, holding a position on the board as a director for 37 years including the last 19 years as chairman.

Construction 

The project has now entered the major construction phase for Stage 1 of the Port Access Road. 

Macmahon Contracting were recently awarded a $40.9m contract to construct the Port Access Road and a new bridge over the Collie River at Eaton to replace the existing structure. The cost of the Port Access Road component is $24.5m.

Macmahons commenced work on site in late January (2009).  At this stage, it is anticipated that they will complete the works before Christmas this year (2009).  

Other Works

Construction of a large limestone block noise wall to protect residences close to the Port Access Road in Vittoria Heights is nearing completion.  

Traffic Impacts

The works have been carefully planned to minimise the disruption to road users, however some delays will be inevitable given the high traffic volumes and the nature of the works being undertaken.

Detours have been set up on the Australind Bypass to enable the construction of the bridges.  One carriageway has been closed and all traffic directed onto the other carriageway.  The detours will result in lane reductions and this is expected to cause delays to traffic during the morning and afternoon peaks.  The detours will be in place for the duration of the bridgeworks which will take some months to complete.  

Project Map

Bunbury Port Access Road Stage 1 Map (1 page PDF 1.17 MB)  

Contacts

Lou Palandri
Project Manager
Phone: 9725 5677
Fax: 9725 5666
Email: lou.palandri@mainroads.wa.gov.au