Council push to speed up roadworks

Bunbury City Council will urgently ask companies to bid for the upgrade of a key route into Bunbury to allow construction to start as soon as possible.

The council's Tuesday night meeting agreed to borrow up to $3 million for the project. The exact figure will be confirmed after a tender is awarded.

Total project cost will be $5 million, with the remaining $2 million to come from the State Government and other sources.

The work will include widening 600m of Koombana Drive between Estuary Drive and the Dolphin Discovery Centre, building two cycleways and a median strip with street lighting.

The George Baxter Boardwalk will be replaced and a new marine wall will be built.

Koombana Drive will be closed for four months during the work, forcing more than 11,000 vehicles that use the road every day, including 1000 during morning peak hour, to find another route.

Mayor Gary Brennan yesterday said a traffic management plan would be released to the public once the plans were finalised.

"We have a comprehensive plan in place that will give residents, businesses and visitors notice of the closure and also alternative routes into the CBD," he said.

"We understand that this work will cause some inconvenience, however, doing it in this manner means it can be completed in the shortest timeframe that also has safety and cost-saving benefits.

"Koombana Drive is a key route into the CBD and along with being safe it needs to reflect how beautiful our city is.

"The new design will also take into account accessibility with dedicated cycling lanes catering for the growing number of riders in the city. The boardwalk is also a popular attraction for joggers and those who enjoy the walk around the Leschenault Inlet.

"It is vital this important community asset is safe and of a high standard."

Last year, a report by infrastructure and environmental service company Cardno found Koombana Drive was deteriorating and eroding into the Leschenault Inlet.