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Australia is set to deliver A$40m ($31m) of upgrades to the Great Northern Highway as part of the government’s National Highway Upgrade Programme, which involves a total investment of A$229m ($176m).

Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the government is providing the funding for works in a bid to enhance the country’s key national highway networks.

Truss said: "This programme will fund much-needed upgrading works around Australia such as shoulder and centreline widening, ripple strips and wire rope barriers, overtaking lanes, turning lanes and pavement improvements."

"This programme will fund much-needed upgrading works around Australia."

Through its National Highway Upgrade Programme, the Australian Government is providing A$32.2m ($25m) for construction of a bypass of New Norcia and upgrade floodways between Meekatharra and Newman on the highway.

Western Australian Minister for Transport Dean Nalder said: "These Great Northern Highway projects will be jointly funded, with the Western Australian government, providing $8.05m, in partnership with the Australian Government’s $32.2m."

The latest programme is aimed at building productive infrastructure for the local community.

Construction on the Great Northern Highway New Norcia Bypass and floodways projects is due to begin in 2015-16.

The 3,200km Great Northern Highway links Western Australia’s capital city Perth with its northernmost port, Wyndham and is constructed as a sealed, two-lane single carriageway, but with some single lane bridges in the Kimberley.

The highway provides vital access through the Wheatbelt and Mid West to the resource rich regions of the Pilbara and Kimberley.

Image: Great Northern Highway route map. Photo: courtesy of Evad37.