Vasse to Margaret River
Main Roads is continuing a project to upgrade the Bussell Highway between Vasse and Margaret River
Bussell Highway forms the main route servicing the coastal strip between Bunbury and Augusta. The growing population, continued popularity of the recreational areas of the south west and steady increases in personal and commercial travel have all generated additional transport demands.
More than 4000 vehicles per day use the existing two-lane road between Busselton and Margaret River, which significantly increases during summer and holiday periods.
The overall crash rate for this stretch of road is above the south west and state averages, however, the severe crash rate is around 50% above the state average for rural highways and main roads.
In the last few years, several key intersections have been improved. To reduce crash numbers, the section of road northern and immediately south of Cowaramup has been widened and five passing lanes added using Safer Roads Funding. The Project Overview (4 page PDF 784 KB) includes graphs showing the impact of improvement works.
Work completed has included:
- The construction of intersections, overtaking lanes and road widening at locations between Vasse and Margaret River.
- Particular attention is being made to maintaining and preserving vegetation in the road reserve corridor. Planting is carried out and established prior to removing existing vegetation that will be affected by the roadworks. Clearing of the existing highway is being limited to one side of the highway as much as possible.
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Enhancing the safety and efficiency of this key regional route is the major benefit in upgrading the existing highway.
Further benefits of these works include:
- Provision of breakdown refuge areas and opportunities to safely pass other vehicles by adding overtaking lanes and widening the highway.
- Reduction of the number of severity of crashed by widening and realigning some sections of the road to provide a more forgiving road environment for any vehicle straying from the road.
- Improved access, protection and sight distances for vehicles entering and leaving the mainstream traffic through key intersection upgrades.
- Reduction in both travel times and transport costs.
- Enhanced industrial, agricultural and tourism opportunities for the South West Region by improving access to the Vasse-Margaret River area.
- A revegetation program that will provide greater and longer term benefits for the region to address the short term environmental impacts caused by vegetation clearing.
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Two stages remain in the project:
1) Bussell Highway: Bramley Forest Section; and
2) Bussell Highway: Vasse - Island Brook.
Bussell Highway: Bramley Forest Section
The vegetation in the Bramley Forest is environmentally significant on the western side, but vegetation on the eastern side is predominantly a disused plantation. Main Roads has undertaken extensive environmental investigations and consultation with environmental groups to ensure existing environmentally significant vegetation is retained.
The Project Overview (4 page PDF 784 KB) provides images of the road environment before and after construction (a larger image is available to the community via email if required by contact Carolyn Walker at icwalker@vianet.net.au).
At Bramley Forest, seed has been collected and in Autumn 2012, infill planting will be undertaken with local species, including 40 karri trees.
Timing
All studies and environmental approvals are complete and parliamentary approval is being sought to acquire the land for the road improvements. Funding has been identified in our four year plan.
Bussell Highway: Vasse
The initial focus on the Carbunup townsite to Island Brook link of Bussell HIghway has been on discussions with landowners about property impacts. These discussions are continuing, and Main Roads expects to have a detailed design completed by 30 June 2011.
In late 2011 and early 201, the project will focus on Carbunup to Vasse. We plan to meet with landowners and carry out the design. The planned construction program is as follows (subject to funding):
- Improvements to Yelverton Road and Hairpin Road intersection: and
- Lowering crest to north of Yelverton Road by 4 m to improve safety.
2012/2013 - Carbunup River to Chambers Road:
- Two overtaking lanes;
- Improvement to the Chambers Road and Lennox Road intersections; and
- Realignment of curves to increase safety.
2013/2014 - Carbunup to Vasse
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A Community Liaison Committee of local representatives helped Main Roads progress the plans for the improvements. The Committee has met both prior to, and after phases of development and provided valuable input into proposed designs and coordination of construction work. As a result, the completed works have been implemented in line with the group's recommendations.
We would like to thank community representatives for their involvement in this important regional project, and will initiate discussion and consultation for the works planned in the Vasse section.
We welcome any queries from the community. If you would like further information, please contact:
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