‘Pretty bloody dangerous’: Truck traffic concerns drive road upgrade call

Support is growing for Geraldton Deputy Mayor Tarleah Thomas’ call for urgent upgrades to the Geraldton-Mount Magnet Road. Cr Thomas, who is a Mullewa farmer, said she had driven the road for 20 years and seen it become increasingly dangerous as truck traffic grew with the upsurge in mining activity. She noted various places where several road trains with three and four trailers typically banked up at busy times, with trucks trying to overtake other trucks. Councillors voted unanimously to support her motion calling on Main Roads WA to conduct 11 urgent upgrades and to seek support from the Yalgoo and Mount Magnet Shire councils. Mount Magnet Shire president Jorgen Jensen said he “wholeheartedly” supported the move as truck traffic was increasing on that road as new mines came into production. “The last time it happened there was significant damage that took years to repair,” he said. “They were running iron ore out of Weld Range and it took several years to fix the damage and it was pretty bloody dangerous at that time.” Mr Jensen said he was concerned about the 60m road trains now coming from a mine near Yalgoo. “I think there is need for more overtaking lanes, widening and shoulder work,” he said. “I believe there are more projects to cart more (ore) on that road so the investment is going to have to be put into it.” Mr Jensen said he expected his council would formally endorse Geraldton’s call when it next met. Yalgoo Shire president Greg Payne was unavailable for comment but The Geraldton Guardian understands the Shire is expected to support the city of Geraldton fully in its submission to the State Government. Main Roads WA media manager Dean Roberts said the department was liaising with local mine operators which planned to use road as part of their operations. “Main Roads has identified some opportunities to widen Geraldton-Mount Magnet Road between Geraldton and Mullewa as part of a Statewide road widening initiative,” he said. “It is expected that this work will commence in 2021/2022.”