A new underpass beneath Carters Road which will provide safe passage for users of the Wadandi Track is one step closer to becoming a reality after the Augusta Margaret River Shire Council endorsed the findings of the Wadandi Track-Carters Road Underpass Feasibility Study on June 24.
The endorsement is the first step toward progressing the project, enabling officers to seek grant funding.
Asset Services Project Planning Officer, Susan Elton said the purpose of the study was to provide a detailed understanding of the feasibility of a pedestrian and cycle underpass where the track crosses Carters Road.
"The development of this feasibility study was made possible by a WA Department of Transport Bicycle Network Grant, awarded in 2019," she said.
The grant, which is available to local governments throughout WA, provides funding for up to 50 per cent of total project costs, for the design and implementation of bicycle network infrastructure that will increase safety, accessibility and tourism opportunities.
Ms Elton said they would now investigate further grant funding opportunities to get the project off the ground.
"We will be seeking grant funding for 100 per cent of the project in order to move forward," she said.
"The enhancement of this iconic track brings great benefit to the local community and visitors to our region and we are hopeful that funding organisations will see value in supporting the construction."
The proposed underpass would be 21 metres long, 1.2 metres wide and constructed from 18 reinforced box culverts.
The culvert would be 3 metres wide by 2.4 metres high in order to provide safe passage of two-way bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
Rock pitching would be used to blend the culvert into the existing landscape the inclusion of solar powered LED dome lights.
The underpass solution was developed by Stantec Australia Pty Ltd and has a design life of 100 years.
