South Western Highway

Pre-construction works are almost complete, including clearing and gravel extraction and production. Construction has started, with a temporary side track and earthworks involving excavation of the deep cut through Thompson Hill.

Construction is expected to be complete by April 2022 and will be followed by a revegetation program using local native species to reflect biodiversity values. Topsoil and mulch mix taken from the area is stockpiled for re-use in the revegetation program.

South Western Highway lane closures

Construction of the temporary side track and other associated roadworks has resulted in the temporary closure of one of the two lanes on the highway. Traffic controllers are managing traffic, under stop/go control, for the open lane to facilitate roadworks. The temporary side track will be fully completed to divert traffic by mid-March 2021.

The temporary side track will accommodate traffic in both directions, at a 60 km/h reduced speed limit, for the duration of construction. Traffic will divert to the temporary side track at a northern and a southern on/off ramp. The temporary side track includes a portion of the existing South Western Highway that will become redundant upon completion of the roadworks, which is another measure to minimise clearing. The temporary side track will be removed to complete the roadworks.   

The realignment will:

• provide a straighter road
• address the steep gradient and roadside ‘drop-off’
• improve safety for freight, tourism, agriculture, industry and locals using the highway

Despite some unavoidable vegetation clearing, minimising this has been a key focus for the project. A range of options were assessed for the road design. In addition to design strategies, such as safety barriers, kerbing and steeper roadside batters, we are minimising environmental impacts as far as possible.

Initiatives to reduce the project footprint include:  

• Development of an Environmental Management Plan to manage and minimise vegetation clearing.
• Revegetating part of the original road, once it is open.
• Revegetating an area larger than what is cleared, using local native species to reflect biodiversity values.

• January 2021: Construction start
• April 2021: Construction will stop for the winter rainfall season
• September/October 2021: Construction begins again
• Mid-2022: Project completion
• Revegetation in the project area will start as soon as possible following construction