In June 2026 Main Roads will celebrate 100 years.

Explore our history of planning, building, maintaining and operating one of the largest geographically spread road networks in the world and how we have paved the way for a century of growth, safety and innovation.

Where it began

In 1926, Western Australia was experiencinga ‘car boom’ which saw the number of vehicles in WA jump from 3,000 in 1921 to 31,000 by 1931.

Main Roads Western Australia was established on 7 June 1926 when the Main Roads Act 1925 came into effect, and the Main Roads Board was formed to manage and plan a road network to meet the needs of a growing population.

Consisting of three members – engineers Edward Tindale and R.J. Anketell and public service administrator George Dibden – the Board had the task of surveying and setting in place a five-year program of works for roads and bridges across Western Australia.

By 1927 the Main Roads Board employed 2700 staff and had established offices in Perth, Bunbury, Geraldton, Northam, Narrogin, Bridgetown, Albany and Kalgoorlie.

Paving the Way for 100 years

For 100 years, Main Roads Western Australia has proudly contributed to Western Australia’s success – creating jobs, connecting suburbs, towns and cities and growing communities across the State.

Our roads are more than physical infrastructure.

Our roads carry crops, machinery and freight to ports, essential goods to remote regions, tourists to natural wonders and events and commuters’ home to families.

• Explore our Corporate Timeline where we highlight major milestones between 1926 – 2020.
• View our year in review videos, showcasing our projects and initiatives throughout metropolitan and regional Western Australia. For more stories, view our YouTube channel.