Published on Friday, 29 May 2020 at 2:50:26 PM
The Town of Port Hedland will begin the process of entering into an agreement with BHP to close the portion of Powell Road between Hamilton and Dalton Roads, effectively separating regular and wide load traffic into Wedgefield.
In January 2020, Council received an application from BHP to close the portion of Powell Road to reduce road user conflict and increase safety at the Powell Road level crossing. Public feedback was obtained and considered, with several state agencies having no objections to the proposed closure.
The agreement intends for BHP to be financially responsible for maintaining the closed road portion. This includes ensuring emergency and planned access to the road if required, monitoring the intersections of Pinga Street/Great Northern Highway and Wallwork Road/Wallwork Link Road for a minimum of 12 months to identify any required upgrades, and completing any other road and intersection upgrades as a result of this monitoring.
Regular users of the road portion will be able to use the alternative route from South Hedland to Wedgefield over the Wallwork Road Bridge, 0.3km shorter than the Powell Road level crossing route.
Commissioner Fred Riebeling AM JP said that the road closure would result in better road safety outcomes for both regular and heavy vehicles.
“Council has decided to enter into negotiations for a formal agreement with BHP, to close the portion of Powell Road between Hamilton and Dalton Roads. Importantly, BHP will be financially responsible for maintaining the road portion and will be required to monitor traffic flows in the vicinity for a minimum of 12 months.
“In the 2018-19 year, the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator was notified of 173 unsafe level crossing equipment failures and defects nationally. In 2017-18, nationwide there were 40 collisions at crossings between trains and road vehicles. This demonstrates how it is preferential to divert traffic flows away from level crossings where possible, in the interests of road user safety.
“I understand that a proportion of town residents and businesses regularly use the level crossing; however, it’s important to emphasise that the alternative route from South Hedland to Wedgefield over the Wallwork Road Bridge is 0.3km shorter.
“This is not a set and forget decision. BHP will be responsible for monitoring traffic flows in the area for a minimum of 12 months and will be required to contribute to identified upgrades where needed.
“I’d like to thank all the community members who submitted their feedback to the proposal; we incorporated these views into our decision, and I will update the community on the status of the agreement in due course.”
For media information:
Laura Hawes
Manager Marketing Communication and Events
(08) 9158 9365 | lhawes@porthedland.wa.gov.au
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