Halls Creek to Kununurra Bridges

Three bridges along Great Northern Highway between Halls Creek and Kununurra are being replaced. The single lane bridges over Arthur Creek, Frog Hollow Creek and Tickalara Creek will be removed and replaced with dual lane bridges.

Construction of new dual lane bridges will result in the removal of three single lane bridges in the Kimberley with twelve still remaining, significantly reducing the risk of head on collisions at each location.

Local community investment

Construction works so far have demonstrated significant support for local businesses in the Kimberley Region, by spreading project investment across the local economy as widely as possible.

Several hire companies have been engaged for tools, machinery, ablutions, buildings, bores, and pumps, with patronage spread across multiple hardware stores.

Local concreters, tree loppers, electricians, plumbers, mechanics, and material suppliers were also engaged.

A local Aboriginal business was partnered with for crane hire, surveying, fuel supplies, accommodation, traffic management, labour hire and plant operations.

This comprehensive approach has bolstered the local economy, fostered strong community relationships and encouraged sustainable business growth in the region.

It is intended this engagement will continue next year for the Arthur Creek bridge works.

Aboriginal engagement

The two Aboriginal communities located near Tickalara Creek and Frog Hollow Creek were kept closely informed of progress throughout construction.

The Warmun Community, located approximately 25 minutes north of the Tickalara bridge site, and the Frog Hollow Community, located approximately 10 minutes from the Frog Hollow bridge site, were offered business engagement and employment opportunities on the project.

This resulted in eight members of the Warmun Community being trained and engaged on the project as traffic controllers.

To support the traffic controllers training and management, an Indigenous-owned business from Broome was engaged to oversee site traffic management and offer support and guidance to the newly trained employees.

The traffic controllers’ employment was transferred from delivery contractor, Fortec Australia, to two Indigenous-owned Halls Creek businesses to provide continuity of service to Main Roads and other contracts in the region.

The project has also employed a Kimberley-based Aboriginal Participation Mentor from nearby Wyndham, and an Aboriginal Engagement Coordinator, who was a Kununurra local.

 Project updates

• Construction Update - June 2024 - PDF (590 KB)
• Construction Update - March 24 - PDF (208 KB)
• Project Update - September 2023 - PDF (716 KB)
• Project Update - May 2023 - (PDF 187 KB)
• Project Update - April 2023 - (PDF 355 KB)

 Media Statement

• Joint media statement - Construction underway on three more bridges in the Kimberley region - 23 June 2023
• Joint media statement - Contract awarded for three Kimberley bridge upgrades - 5 April 2023