WA’s Great Northern Highway is another step closer to fully reopening after flooding washed away a major bridge and parts of the key transport route in January.

April 2, 2023

Western Australia’s only road to the north of the state is another step closer to reopening after once-in-a-century-flooding washed away a major bridge and parts of the key transport route.

A temporary low-level water crossing through the Fitzroy River in the Kimberley region will open to four-wheel drive vehicles on Monday and reconnect the Great Northern Highway.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti says construction crews had been working hard to reopen the route after the bridge over the Fitzroy River was destroyed in the January flooding.

“We understand the level of disruption that has been caused by the loss of the Fitzroy Crossing bridge, and this new low-level crossing is another important step in reconnecting the Kimberley and its communities,” she said on Sunday.

Federal Transport Minister Catherine King said the devastation caused by flooding was “simply extraordinary”.

“Reconnecting the community is an important part of recovery and the start of the work to that will allow freight to move again and reconnect supply chains,” she said.

The five-metre wide, 200-metre long single-lane causeway was built using more than 10,000 tonnes of rock.

It will initially provide access for 4WD vehicles only, but that may be expanded to heavier vehicles, such as single-axle trucks and tourist buses if conditions permit.

A second two-lane temporary crossing suitable for higher traffic volumes and larger vehicles is also planned.

It will have sealed approaches and cater for freight vehicles, caravans, campers and pedestrians.

If river water levels continue to drop, Main Roads WA anticipates the crossing will be operational in May.

A ferry service for passengers across the river will continue to operate while conditions permit.

The WA government has also signed a contract to build a new bridge over the Fitzroy River once the design and planning are finalised, with site works likely to begin in April.

It’s hoped some vehicles would be able to travel over the new bridge by mid-next year.

In the meantime, road freight to and from the north of the state must travel via a much longer and costly route using the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory and South Australia.