Work is still ongoing on a 17-kilometre stretch of the Bussell Highway in Western Australia's South West, more than five years after the project began. Frustrated motorists say lane closures and speed limits are causing daily delays, with some now taking riskier routes to avoid the work.
Dylan Anderson
Five Years and Still Going
The highway duplication between Bunbury and Busselton began in 2020 to ease congestion. It was officially opened in April this year, but finishing works are still underway, with full completion now expected by late June or early July, depending on weather conditions.
A road sign with a sticker over the original completion date reflects local sentiment that the project has dragged on far longer than promised.
Drivers Speak Out
Capel resident Richelle Piggott, who drives to Busselton up to six times a week, called the experience “extremely frustrating.”
"It takes a very long time. There's a lot of different signage and I see a lot of people getting confused and unaware of the directional requirements with regards to the roadworks."
"But the constant frustration of broken promises and goalposts being moved with regards to when it's going to be finished? I battle to understand why it's taken so long."
Pressure on Tuart Drive
Some drivers are now diverting to Tuart Drive, a 14km single-lane road, to avoid the roadworks. Ludlow resident Scott Olney says the once-quiet road has become a major bypass route.
"Down south is obviously a really popular holiday destination, but the majority of traffic has been coming down Tuart Drive."
"Five years ago, we used to be able to walk down Tuart Drive and people used to walk their horses along the road. But now no-one does and I'd hazard a guess it's because there's been a 500 to 1,000 per cent increase in cars."
Tuart Drive has been linked to multiple fatalities in the past 18 months. The intersection with Bussell Highway at Yalyalup was ranked number three on RAC’s list of WA’s riskiest roads in February.
Dylan Anderson
Community Calls for Action
Olney criticised the lack of improved safety signage:
"The road signage is inadequate; there's no extra signage, no flashing lights saying slow down, dangerous intersection."
"There's other parts of the world where they've built skyscrapers in lesser time and all we've done is construct a dual highway. The time that it's taken to complete this road is astronomical and we're still not there."
Government Response
Despite the frustrations, the WA Government maintains the duplication was always intended to be completed in stages.
"We appreciate these works have caused disruption and we thank the community for their patience," a government spokesperson said.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti had originally announced the project would be completed by the end of 2024. While the road opened in April 2025, the final works requiring speed reductions and lane closures continue.
Roadworks were also paused over the Easter and WA Day long weekends, adding to the overall project timeline.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
