Goldfields Highway

Goldfields Highway is 788 kilometres long, connecting Great Northern Highway in Meekatharra with Coolgardie-Esperance Highway, south of Kalgoorlie.

The 180 kilometre Wiluna-Meekatharra Road includes 123 kilometres of unsealed pavement.

The benefits of sealing the Wiluna to Meekatharra road include:

• Improved transport efficiency and an improved level of service for the transport of freight between the Goldfields, Midwest and Pilbara mining regions.
• Reducing travel time, driver fatigue and crashes for people travelling between Wiluna, Meekatharra.
• Supporting social and economic growth in local and regional economies through the direct employment of local and Aboriginal people and businesses on the project.

Upgrade and seal priority sections of Goldfields Highway between Wiluna and Meekatharra.

The scope of work for the first five-kilometre section includes:

• Construction and sealing of the road to a 10 metre wide on a 10 metre formation
• Floodway and off-road drainage construction
• Installation of culverts
• Installation of all signs and pavement markings

The scope of work for the second 10-kilometre realignment over West Creek includes:

• Construction and sealing of the road to a 10 metre wide on a 10 metre formation
• Off-road drainage construction
• Installation of a major floodway crossing across the creek
• Installation of all signs and pavement markings

A key objective of this project is to create and sustain ongoing employment and training opportunities for local Aboriginal people, whether it be in road construction and maintenance, working in the mining and resources industry or undertaking heritage and cultural activities on their own land (country). This is a high priority for the Martu Elders who have direct input into the design of training and employment programs for their people.

As part of a pilot project to seal a five-kilometre section near Wiluna in 2020, Main Roads engaged with traditional owners in Wiluna, the Tarlka Matuwa Piarku Aboriginal Corporation (TMPAC), to engage with and maximise employment of local Aboriginal people and businesses on the project. The same approach is being used on the current section of work.