The flood impacted section of the Great Northern Highway (GNH) between Port Hedland and Broome will re-open to general traffic tomorrow.

The northern end between Broome and Pardoo is expected to open at 9am, with the remainder of the highway, from Port Hedland to Pardoo expected to open at 12pm.

Temporary repairs to the 20 kilometre section between the Strelley River and east of the De Grey River have been carried out in the past few days, enabling the section to be opened under traffic management to all vehicles.

Main Roads Chief Operating Officer Des Snook said the highway had been made safe, and this has allowed it to be re-opened.

“The Strelley to De Grey section of GNH experienced the worst of the flooding from ex-Tropical Cyclone Zelia, with some stripping of the bitumen in one area and some widespread shoulder scouring,” Mr Snook said.

“Temporary repairs have been made to enable a quick re-opening of the highway and a restoration of the connection between Port Hedland and Broome.”

Mr Snook urged road users to drive with caution as Main Roads work crews would be continuing works and permanent repairs along the impacted sections of the highway in coming weeks.

“It is important people heed temporary speed limit signs and other advisory signs when travelling through these roadworks,” Mr Snook said.

Main Roads has been assisting the Department of Fire and Emergency Services with the resupply of communities in the Kimberley.

A special permit system enabling triple road trains to travel from Kalgoorlie into South Australia and the Northern Territory to access the Kimberley from the Top End has been underway, and, in the past two days two convoys of trucks have travelled from Port Hedland to Broome along GNH under escort to help with the DFES resupply effort.

Many roads in the Pilbara, including GNH from Port Hedland to Broome, were closed more than a week ago when Tropical Cyclone Zelia crossed the coast bringing widespread rain and flooding.

“In emergencies such as this Main Roads works as quickly as possible to make safe important road connections once flood waters recede, and we thank road users and the general public for their patience,” Mr Snook said.

For the latest information on State road closures go to the Main Roads Travel Map 

• Main Roads Travel Map > https://travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Home/Map or ring the Main Roads Customer Information Centre on 138 138.

Main Roads Media Contact: Dean Roberts 0419907230