Atlas Iron has begun work on improving a key road for rural Pilbara residents
Safety upgrades to one of the Pilbara Region’s most notable roads are officially underway.
About 92km of Marble Bar Road will be upgraded to a two-lane sealed road, which the WA government says will significantly improve road safety, expand access to remote Aboriginal communities and further unlock the economic potential of the region through better connections to a number of mine sites serviced by the road.
An eight-kilometre deviation around Nullagine will also be constructed, improving road safety and reducing noise through the town.
The project will be delivered in seven stages, with the first 15-kilometre section near Roy Hill now underway, and work on a further 23km of road expected to commence in the coming weeks.
The upgrades will enable safer travel for all road users, as well as heavy vehicle operators carting ore from a number of mines in the area.
Access for local Aboriginal communities and medical and other services will also be improved – with the new road expected to reduce the need for closures due to flooding in the wet season.
The upgrade is being funded and delivered by mining company Atlas Iron, with the WA state government committing $60 million towards the project.
The upgrades are expected to be completed by late 2025.
“Marble Bar Road is the only link for a number of remote communities in the East Pilbara for food, supplies and essential services,” Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel says.
“During wet season, the road can be closed for up to three months as floodwaters rise, meaning that communities become isolated, and food and provisions have to be transported in by air at significant cost.
“Sealing the road will significantly improve serviceability for the local community and I thank the state government for their ongoing commitment to this project.”