RAC Risky Roads Survey names Great Northern Highway between Port Hedland and Newman as a top 10 risky road

A portion of Great Northern Highway running between Newman and Port Hedland has been named one of the most dangerous roads in WA in a new study. The road was listed 10th in the RAC’s top 10 regional risky roads list due to its lack of overtaking opportunities, narrow road and lanes and poor road surface quality. The section of highway, which runs between the mining hub town of Newman and the export hub of Port Hedland, is frequented by road trains and oversize loads. The survey by the RAC received more than 10,000 nominations from West Australians, identifying regional WA’s most troublesome hot spots. RAC general manager external relations Will Golsby said it is encouraging to see so many WA locals having their say. “Too many people are killed and seriously injured on country roads every day and through this survey the people of regional WA have made a strong statement in the fight for better roads,” he said. “No one knows our roads better than the people who drive, ride, walk or cycle on them every day — whether it’s a confusing layout, or a speed limit that’s too high.” The highway between Port Hedland and Newman covers a distance of approximately 450km and is the main road connecting the two Pilbara towns. It was earmarked for $50 million in the 2022 Federal Budget for new overtaking lanes between Port Hedland and Newman as well as $40m of additional funding for the $76m Port Hedland Airport Deviation project.