What we did
The Australian and Western Australian Governments joined forces with BHP to deliver safety improvements at three key rail crossings in the Pilbara.
Package One
Buttweld Road Realignment (Completed November 2022)
A 34-metre road-over-rail bridge has been constructed over BHP's rail line at Buttweld Road, eliminating the need for the now-decommissioned level crossing. A three-kilometre section of Buttweld Road has also been realigned to improve the geometry and allow the speed zone to remain consistent for the entire length of the road.
Powell Road Closure (Completed July 2022)
Two roundabouts have been constructed either side of the BHP rail line on Powell Road, removing through access to the level crossing for general road users. Gates have also been installed for emergency vehicles and High Wide Load traffic access when required.
Package One was fully funded by BHP ($36.67 million).
Package Two
Great Northern Highway Realignment (Completed March 2024)
We have constructed a new 32-metre road-over-rail bridge to separate road and rail traffic at the Nelson Point main line level crossing on Great Northern Highway, east of Port Hedland International Airport.
4.75 kilometres of the Highway has also been realigned (adjacent to the Port Hedland International Airport and the Walkabout Village) to provide an optimised route to the grade-separated crossing over the dual rail lines to BHP’s Nelson Point facilities.
Two new service roads on the Eastern and Western ends of the Great Northern Highway have also been built to provide access to the airport and other neighbouring facilities, and facilitate future development.
These works were funded by the Australian ($50.2 million) and Western Australian State Government ($12.5 million), and BHP ($13.3 million).
safety and traffic flow
travel times
road and rail conflict