Main Roads has today detailed its plans for access through Fitzroy Crossing in the Kimberley Region ahead of the next northern wet season.

The temporary two-lane low level crossing, currently open to all vehicles adjacent to the new Fitzroy River Bridge, will be removed in mid-September with all traffic diverted onto the single lane causeway, four kilometres upstream of the new Fitzroy River Bridge.

The single-lane causeway is being upgraded to cater for all vehicles including road trains and oversized vehicles and will remain open until the river levels rise.

Once water levels rise and the river is navigable, the barge ferry service will be reinstated to transport passengers and light vehicles. Main Roads is also investigating options to accommodate the movement of freight vehicles across the river.

The removal of the two-lane crossing is required to facilitate crucial embankment and scour protection works for the new Fitzroy River bridge and Fitzroy Lodge and prevent further erosion prior to the river flowing again.

The steel pipes, installed underneath the temporary crossing to carry smaller river flows, need to be removed before the larger wet season river flows occur. The larger river flows will damage the crossing and risk washing the steel casings down stream potentially damaging the steel piles installed for the new Fitzroy River Bridge.

Permanent repairs to the 10-kilometre section of Great Northern Highway at Willare are underway and due for completion by late 2023, prior to the wet season.

 Main Roads Media Contact: 9323 5872