links western_australia capital city perth northernmost port length kilometres longest highway australia majority included perth darwin national highway highway constructed sealed predominantly lane single single lane bridges travels remote areas state sealed road link northern western_australia economically provides vital access mid west resource rich regions areas key industries mining agriculture pastoral stations tourism dependent highway perth highway begins midland near north intersects highways form perth ring road rural highways spur brand highway north west coastal highway provide alternative coastal route victoria highway carries route interstate traffic road routes allocated sections including highway routes national highway national highway highway created existing roads series tracks remote pastoral areas hazardous route dusty dry season washed away wet season sections effectively impassable sand contained limestone economic growth development northern western_australia prompted initial improvement efforts federal government beef roads scheme 1960s resulted noticeably higher quality road construction sealed road perth including numerous bridges reduce impact seasonal flooding took years complete section opened december received national media coverage older sections worn modern standards upgrades carried small sections length highway works planned major realignment highway perth scheduled construction project upgrade highway route description main north south route perth northern areas western_australia covering distance kilometres longest highway australia midland perth north east highway heads generally north east mid west newman north west coastal town coastline east finally north state northern coastline kilometres highway intersects start victoria highway carries interstate traffic northern territory road routes allocated sections route forms australia highway signed midland middle swan concurrently middle swan vast majority highway lane single thirteen single lane bridges single lane speed limit kilometres hour mph built areas travels remote areas western_australia including near communities located sealed road border major population centres north state economically vital link resource rich regions key industries mining agriculture pastoral stations dependent highway significant cases method transport tourism accounts significant portion road traffic growing potential growth source regional economies highway provides access variety tourist attractions including area national parks including parts highway included tourist routes tourist drive tourist drive tourist way tourist drive tourist way tourist drive gorge monitors traffic volume state road network including locations great northern highway recorded traffic volumes ranged vehicles weekday perth highest percentage heavy traffic north newman drive overall performs favourably terms road safety compared major highways western_australia whilst making thirds state network location half recorded fatalities period sections highway north east considered lowest risk highway links state section perth rated medium risk northern sections highway rated medium high high risk received similar rating higher overall highways stars rated star rated star southern northern ends highway generally safe portion perth begins morrison road midland perth north eastern suburbs signed originally commenced great eastern highway section longer named old great northern highway highway heads north middle swan intersecting start road kilometres meeting point highways kilometres highways come perth ring road signed state route north intersection great northern highway concurrently allocated continues north kilometres passing restaurants tourist attractions highway crosses intersects west swan road turning north east travel residential continues north thirteen kilometres west swan road past larger agricultural properties reach urban area kilometres highway reaches edge perth metropolitan area city swan boundary passes links small town sites surrounding rural farmland occasionally passing remnant patches woodlands north eastern edge perth highway travels north kilometres branch north west national highway continue north east kilometres passes west curves east cross north kilometres north branches north west highway skirts east briefly continues north reaching kilometres starting point road located kilometres north heads north east kilometres north kilometres east kilometres northern end road shortly kilometres takes road kilometres north mid west great northern highway heads north east vegetation changes arid long stretches settlements signs human activity highway settlement find kilometres point highway heads north reaching kilometres cue kilometres road travels north east kilometres long kilometre stretch northern edge near newman airport halfway stretch highway passes kilometres crossing intersects marble bar road highway original alignment proceeds north marble bar road whilst highway north west reaching newman kilometres flat landscape gives way gentle ranges highway heads west north west kilometres curves north proceeding distance kilometres entrance road highway continues north kilometres travelling north eastern corner national park great northern highway proceeds journey north crossing tributaries highway runs parallel kilometre distance reaches junction northern terminus continues north east national highway australia highway signed kilometres north east intersection highway heads east kilometres northern end marble bar road reaching kilometres parallels coastline passing region shortly great northern highway travels north east paralleling coastline kilometres passing near vegetation woodlands highway heads tropical monsoon climate highway turns east heading inland spurs west connecting kilometres highway crosses bridge reaches continues east kilometres crosses second time continues east curving southern reaching kilometres town duncan road kilometres north east highway heads north kilometres past victoria highway national highway route turns victoria highway travelling past cross continues north west route number passing eastern end kilometres reaching following kilometres highway continues kilometres reach original harbour takes local names street street history highway origins great northern highway proposed october state describe main route midland western australia following naming great eastern highways approved meeting councillor suggested great midland highway better reasoning centre state coastline north explained highway continue north past council voted approve july proposal expanded highway names roads state northern areas road find cue derby hall creek road winning pool highway road proposal received local municipal councils road boards great northern highway march section land act highway series tracks remote pastoral areas sealed road ending past town driving difficult hazardous year round road dusty dry season sections road effectively impassable sand sections contained limestone damaged tyres wet season rivers flooded sections road essentially worse completely washed away sealing highway initial efforts economic growth development western_australia northern regions 1940s prompted state quadruple road funding gangs workers allocated mile length given vast distance highway travelled destructive cyclones destroy multiple weeks worth work overall improvement relatively insignificant time road improved new constructed derby late 1940s originally followed curve dry season new alignment direct mile section miles sealed total miles gravel road remainder simply formed earth despite low construction standard road remained short periods heavy rain beef roads scheme federal government passed beef cattle roads act known encouraged road building followed earlier federal grant scheme construction road road allowed trucks efficiently transport cattle port slow cattle drives lose stock weeks complete beef roads scheme initially included upgrading section projects region year later scheme expanded include halls creek section highway bridge construction projects resources allocated needed maintain highway road usable condition completely seal roadway work completed mile sandy section prevent vehicles mile section realigned avoid miles marble bar realigned effects wet weather perth newman projects funded resulted noticeably higher quality road work progressed sections highway single lane sealed section completed perth project state constructed contractors directly cost million thirds spent section upgraded sealed newman kilometre long project half years construct location built alongside highway workers flown highway realigned spots avoid difficult areas improve river crossings drivers scenic view surrounding area new bridges constructed route including reinforced concrete bridge span bridge december sealed road reached newman project completed months ahead schedule cost million million budget metre wide seal metre wide shoulders road easily accommodate lanes traffic previously sealed sections totalling kilometres highway half width premier opened new improved highway december lane sealed road completed involved construction bridges extensive earthworks designed blend road terrain section opened july minister transport cost million work sealing upgrading kilometre long section began contractors teams working project completed rapid pace opened april cost million opening section tourist traffic escalated increasingly favoured destinations especially residents work accelerated 1980s program october program provided billion upgrade country roads lead australia time sections sealed kilometre stretch kilometres newman construction crossing section began october route surveyed collaboration ensured impact important heritage sites years work including construction bridges widened sealed section completed september time final section nationwide highway sealed national interest media captured completion camera federal minister transport western australian minister rode truck final spray section completed newman section significant section highway western_australia newman realignment highway newman proposed road west newman travel instead marble bar early 1980s route corridors investigated potential impacts natural environment regional economy tourism resident population considered particular concern crossing highway pass decided environment review management program report required newman section prepared report found key risks erosion visual impact possible damage flora detailed survey carried included use laser red measuring devices helicopter numerous field trips determine final alignment bridge sites comprehensive environmental impact statement produced project approved early contract kilometre segment awarded construction segment involved tight control earthworks machinery movements protect national park ecology finished road scenic route curving gorge flood plain blending natural environment opened june federal minister transport having cost million portions newman link completed years officially opened december federal state transport ministers section completed sealing opening ceremony held location kilometres south received national media coverage crossing late 1960s investigated alternative crossing points replace existing low level bridge flooding january demonstrated best site new route miles longer required bridges result better quality road called river flooded washing away feet old bridge reconstruct low level crossing construction shortened months weeks foot long foot long opened june having cost situated seven feet higher worst known flood level single lane bridges designed accommodate extensive flood levels water flowing necessary early 1980s clear crossing inadequate seasonal flooding closed road times damaged leading bridges crossing closed days severe flooding extensively damaged kilometres highway closing days alleviate problem new bridges built road widened raised metres flood plain earthworks project included constructing guide banks direct excess water flow protected rocks designed time road closed scenario million upgraded crossing opened december federal minister transport month later cyclone produced water crossing designed water overflowed road flood plain designated shoulders destroying sections road kilometres highway washed away leaving bridges isolated disconnected road closed january february spent crossing redesigned rebuilt cost million flood resistant improvements despite provision completely sealed road work highway older sections worn modern standards narrow sections widened seven metres repairs road shoulders fencing line markings required work carried sections progressing length highway overtaking lanes constructed cue contracts awarded widen reconstruct seal combined total kilometres highway range projects carried length highway kilometre section victoria highway improved cost million kilometres north improved million bridges constructed vicinity replacing highway remain open floods similarly kilometres north metre long constructed replace single lane opened january year bridges strengthened increase highway load capacity modifications steep ascent hill february april realigned bypass town centre work continuous section upgraded parts reconstructed realigned traffic lights installed intersection brand highway sections improved regards pavement strength alignment safety flood resistance perth section upgraded road widened turning overtaking lanes constructed street lighting improved construction realignment industrial area including new interchange wilson street began end opened traffic june july deputy prime minister federal member officially opened project finalised august october construction began project widen curves project completed opened traffic february allowed speed limit raised mph kilometre long section road north reconstructed september future upgrading planned southern end highway planning completed widening kilometre section including replacing single lane bridges project awaiting federal approval construction early 1990s corridor study conducted long term needs perth concluded existing great northern highway bypasses rural towns suitable route planning alignment southernmost section highway perth undertaken resulted planned alignment commencing bypassing near followed planned route east bypass existing highway near stage construction undertaken project northern section grade separated road extended northwards past great northern highway near previously planned route bypass prior followed lord street east project funded state federal governments construction expected begin completed stage upgrade late completed planning review upgrade highway known stage upgrade project continues work undertaken section improve road standards bypasses improvements planned near sections near completed included review highest priority works scheduled completed include section section designed link project bypass november designs finalised section funding confirmed upgrades major intersections
Great Northern Highway