Central Wheatbelt MP Mia Davies has lodged a formal grievance to the Transport Minister Rita Saffioti in State Parliament, requesting vital funds for Great Eastern Highway following the State government's $55 million package to upgrade regional WA roads.
In the Wheatbelt, York-Merredin Road will receive about $5m for reconstruction, realignment and widening works.
Other areas being addressed include $5m for passing lanes on the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway, $2.5m to widen and seal the shoulders along the Northam-Cranbrook Road and $1.5m to widen and seal the shoulders along Great Northern Highway.
In my time of driving the road, I have never seen it so bad
- Member for the Central Wheatbelt Mia Davies
However Ms Davies said the major highway, providing the vital east-west link, had been overlooked.
“The Great Eastern Highway runs directly through my electorate,” Ms Davies said in her speech that was directed at Ms Saffioti.
“In my time of driving the road, I have never seen it so bad.”
Agricultural Region MP Darren West shot back at Ms Davies following the speech.
“I am pleased that the Member for Central Wheatbelt has discovered the state of Great Eastern Highway,” Mr West said.
“She was a Minister in the Barnett Government when the Tier 3 rail was closed, which saw around one million tonnes of grain annually pushed onto the road.
“She was also a Minister in the Cabinet when $150m was pulled out of the road maintenance budget.
“We have put those funds back, in fact the McGowan government will spend 20 per cent more on the road network than the Liberal/National Government did.”
Mr West revealed a tender would soon be awarded for upgrades to the highway. In the meantime, he urged motorists to slow down and drive safely.
"We will work with the Federal government to find solutions to address these and other issues," Mr West said. “WA Labor will continue to make dangerous country roads a priority.”
Mr West said Main Roads crews had repaired 2900 potholes in the road between El Caballo and Southern Cross.