The Shire of Augusta Margaret River has completed major upgrades to Rosa Glen Road, improving safety and access to the popular tourist, school bus and heavy vehicle network ahead of winter.

Works began in December after a community consultation period and the appropriate clearing and heritage permits were obtained, and focussed on a 2.6km stretch from 8.9 SLK to 11.5 SLK.

Shire of Augusta Margaret River Coordinator Works Neale Pike said the new upgrades had improved commercial access to vineyards, dairies and other farming activities as well as tourism access to wineries and restaurants in the area.

“The works involved widening the 3.5m road to 6.5m, installing gravel shoulders and removing roadside hazard trees, limbs and redundant old drainage pipes,” he said.

“These important upgrades will improve safety and access, not only for locals who live and work along the road, but for everyone who uses it on a regular basis.”

Mr Pike thanked local farmer Richard Noakes, who supported the upgrades by allowing the Shire to store road construction materials and vehicles, and provided a suitable location on his property for redundant spoil removed from the new drains.

Mr Noakes said it was great to see improvements along this well-trafficked rural road.

“I think the Shire’s done an awesome job and it’s a great thing for the district, to see work being done on rural roads like this one,” he said.

The road was built 80-odd years ago and has experienced a gradual increase in traffic and the thickening of verge vegetation over the years.

The works, which also involved the strengthening of the road’s subgrade and subbase where an existing spring popped up directly beneath the road, were completed in January.

The drainage upgrades were done by in-house drainage crews and included headwalls, double pipe sets, subsoil pipe and open table drains.

Picture: Shire CEO Stephanie Addison Brown and Coordinator Works Neale Pike.

See the full gallery of pictures, including before, during and after images, here. Please direct media inquiries to [email protected]