The Broome Cape Leveque Road is now fully sealed, in time for the wet season, and Peninsula locals and travellers have all-weather access from Broome to Ardyaloon.

JANUARY 2021

Broome-Cape Leveque Road Upgrade Project

MAIN ROADS WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The Broome Cape Leveque Road Upgrade Project is

jointly funded by the Australian Government and Western

Australian State Government under the Northern Australia

Roads Program

Road opening ceremonyOn 26 November 2020, Federal Minister and Member for Durack Melissa Price, State Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti and Kimberley MLA Josie Farrer, officially opened the road.

In attendance were representatives from the Shire of Broome, Main Roads, the project team, Traditional Owner groups from the Dampier Peninsula and local community members.

Both ministers and representatives from five language groups on the peninsula

spoke, recognising the benefits the project delivers.

Three Dampier Peninsula schools sang about the road and a traditional dance was performed by Djarindjin school with vocals by Vincent McKenzie and Bundy Chulung. Yawuru singers performed in language.

Bardi Jawi traditional owners presented trochus shells to the ministers, a commemorative plaque was unveiled and many took part in the official ribbon cutting.

Project outcomes Construction started in 2018, creating 290 jobs in the region.

Targets for Aboriginal engagement were exceeded with 38 of the 85 contracts entered into on the project to date, being with Aboriginal businesses and 28% ($12.2 m) of contracted expenditure by Aboriginal businesses (target is 20%).

Contact Carmen Murdock, Project Community and Stakeholder Manager E: carmen.murdock@mainroads.wa.gov.au M: 0488 776 301 More information is also available at www.mainroads.wa.gov.au

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All season accessThe sealing of the Broome-Cape Leveque Road improves access and connection for local communities to Broome and Derby.

William Smith, a Beagle Bay resident said the road sealing was welcome and offered advantages for the community.

“The sealing of this road through the Peninsula will have enormous benefits to us here in these three remote Aboriginal communities. The road gives us an opportunity of self-sufficiency, and a brand new day has come.”

To learn more about this project, watch the video, or visit our website.

Materials used Between 2018 and 2020, a significant volume of material was used in the construction of the 90 km section of road including:

• More than 1.5 million litres of bitumen

• More than 165,000 tonnes of gravel (pavement construction)

• 676,000 m3 of pindan red sand fill (road embankment)

• 2,643 tonnes of rock for drainage and scour protection

• 446 tonnes of cement (incorporated into pavement to strengthen floodways).

Project team commendedGerry Zoetelief, Main Roads’ Kimberley Regional Manager, commended the project management team and road construction crews, for their outstanding achievements in completing the road sealing.

2021 schedule This year, the road crew will begin drainage and rehabilitation works, laying the final seal and installation of signs and pavement markings.

Work will begin on upgrading the first 13 kms of the road, and the intersection with Broome Highway. Upgrades to the Kooljaman Resort Access Road and the Hatchery at Ardyaloon will also be underway this year.

Wet season safetyThe Shire of Broome will manage the road during the wet season. Please contact the Shire on 9191 3456 or visit

Shire of Broome Road Conditions for updated road conditions.

When driving in wet weather, remember to turn on your headlights and drive to the conditions. The road is newly sealed so it is advisable to remain on the road surface and avoid driving on the shoulders because they might be soft.

Should you have any other enquiries, please contact Main Roads on 138 138, email enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au or visit the Main Roads Travel Map for information about road conditions on major roads and highways.

Road crew at the opening

Main Roads project team

If you plan to travel this holiday period, please visit the Main Roads Driving in WA page for tips on travelling in the Kimberley.