Nationals WA Member of Parliament and candidate for the seat of Geraldton Paul Brown, was today joined by the Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price MP and City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn for the official opening of the Abraham Street Bridge.
The bridge is part of the Karloo Wandina Project and was jointly funded by the state government’s Royalties for Regions fund through the Mid West Development Commission’s Mid West Investment Plan, the federal government’s Building Better Regional Cities Project, and the City of Greater Geraldton.
“The opening of the Abraham Street Bridge has completed the important North South connectivity of the City of Greater Geraldton.” Mr Brown said.
The completion of the Southern Transport Corridor (STC) in 2009 delivered significant economic benefits for Geraldton and the wider Mid West region, providing an alternative freight route to Geraldton’s key logistics hubs such as the Port and the airport and has improved the access, safety and efficiency of the road transport industry in Geraldton.
“The Southern Transport Corridor did however create a physical barrier between Geraldton’s south eastern growth areas of Wandina and Tarcoola, and its vibrant central and northern suburbs.” Mr Brown said.
“The Building Better Regional Cities Project was developed to re-establish connection between Geraldton largest suburban areas in the south east and its principal employment centre of Webberton and eventually, Narngulu.”
Royalties for Regions contributed a total of $13.97 million specifically towards the three “connectivity” elements of the Karloo Wandina Project.
- Stage 1 completion of Verita Road in December 2014 – a 7km road connecting Highbury Street to Columbus Boulevard
- 65m two lane bridge over the STC south of Abraham Street
- North-South Road Karloo connection linking Abraham Street with Ackland Road
“This project is a great example of how the local, state and federal government can work together to bring opportunities to life for regional communities.” Mr Brown said.
Royalties for Regions has invested more than $7 billion in more than 3,700 economic and community development projects since 2008 for the benefit of all Western Australians.
Photo Caption: L-R Paul Brown MP, City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn, Federal Member for Durack, Melissa Price MP
