Major roadworks to upgrade and beautify the main entry point into Kalgoorlie-Boulder will be completed in time for the city's centenary next year.
Deputy Premier and Goldfields Minister Ian Taylor said today road construction, widening and kerbing along Great Eastern Highway between Craig Road and Gatacre Street were now underway.
As well, extensive landscaping would be carried out in conjunction with Greening Australia, CALM, the Goldfields Dust Abatement Committee and the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
"The Great Eastern Highway entry is probably the most prominent of the gateways into the city," Mr Taylor said.
"I am pleased the Main Roads Department has acted on my request earlier this year to give the road-widening proposal high priority to allow the work to be completed for 1993.
"The road widening over this section will greatly increase the vehicle capacity of the road, improving safety and access to properties.
"The wider carriageway will accommodate bike use on the outside edges of the road which will complement the bikeplan for Kalgoorlie-Boulder currently being developed."
Mr Taylor said the concerted effort being made by the MRD, city council, community groups and the businesses along the highway to improve the approaches to the city should make a big impact on tourists arriving by road.
Main Roads divisional engineer in Kalgoorlie-Boulder Gordon Slec said the road reconstruction and widening would be carried out in stages over the next two months to minimise the inconvenience to local and through-traffic.
Wherever possible, only short lengths of road would be worked at any one time.
Landscaping work in the road reserve was scheduled for early in the New Year.
Special drainage would be installed to direct run-off to the landscaped areas.
