A key stretch of Indian Ocean Drive will reopen to traffic tomorrow following the completion of major upgrades aimed at improving safety and travel efficiency for drivers along Western Australia’s coastline.

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The 33-kilometre section between Leeman and Brand Highway has undergone significant work, including:

  • Full widening of the road
  • Realignment of 8 kilometres between Eneabba-Coolimba Road and Freshwater Bay
  • Construction of two new overtaking lanes

These upgrades are part of a broader effort to make this important route to Dongara safer and more efficient, particularly for residents and visitors travelling between Perth and WA’s coastal communities.

Completion in Time for School Holidays

The road closure, which began in April last year to facilitate the works, included detours for motorists. The now-completed project ensures Indian Ocean Drive is ready ahead of the April school holidays, a critical period for regional travel.

The $55 million project was jointly funded by the Australian Government and the Western Australian Government.

This project builds on prior work completed in 2023, which saw:

  • 25 kilometres of widening between Jurien Bay and Green Head
  • More than 200 kilometres of audible edge and centre lines installed under the Regional Road Safety Program
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Ongoing Commitment to Safer Roads

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti welcomed the reopening and thanked communities for their patience:

"The State Government is committed to improving regional road safety across Western Australia, and it's fantastic this important upgrade will be completed in time for the April school holidays."
"This work will provide a safer link for local residents and a number of coastal communities north of Perth."
"More than 200 kilometres of Indian Ocean Drive has now been upgraded in recent years – through widening, installation of audible edge and centre lines, construction of overtaking lanes, and installation of new safety barriers and signage – as we continue to improve safety for road users."

With this latest milestone, Indian Ocean Drive continues to evolve as a safer, more reliable corridor for tourism, freight, and community connectivity across WA’s Mid West and coastal regions.

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