Highway ‘bungle’ could fund flyover

The State Opposition has called on the Barnett Government to cancel the ‘‘bungled’’ Roe Highway Stage 8 extension project and use the money to fund regional projects like the Eelup roundabout flyover.

Opposition transport spokesman Ken Travers said Labor estimated a cost blowout of $150 million on the Roe Highway project which was now expected to cost taxpayers $700 million.

Mr Travers said the extra money would allow a number of regional projects to get off the ground including the flyover at the Eelup roundabout, the upgrade of Coalfields Highway and new bypasses for numerous regional towns as well as funding many metropolitan projects.

‘‘If Transport Minister Troy Buswell cancels the project now, he would have only wasted $20 million,’’ Mr Travers said.

‘‘If he decides to press ahead he’ll waste $700 million.’’

Mr Buswell has denied taxpayers’ money had been wasted on the controversial highway, which links the Great Northern Highway and Middle Swan Road with the Kwinana Freeway.

Labor has opposed the project, which last year was estimated to cost $550 million, but the State Government is committed to it.

The South Western Times understands Mr Buswell will reveal the final cost next year when environmental and heritage approval processes had been completed.