Outback Way is an iconic 2,700 kilometre west to east route from Laverton in WA to Winton in QLD through central Australia via Alice Springs – often referred to as ‘Australia’s Longest Shortcut’.

Over half of the route (1400 kilometres) remains unsealed, including 736 kilometres of Great Central Road which forms the WA section. The Outback Way project aims to upgrade and seal the Great Central Road. Since 2013, packages of work have been gradually delivered by the Wongutha Way Alliance (WWA) – the most recent being a 40 kilometre section east of Laverton, completed in September 2021.

BG&E was engaged by Main Roads WA through the ETS panel contract to undertake the detailed design for two sections of the Great Central Road. The length of upgraded road sections undertaken by BG&E totaled 290 kilometres.

The scope of work included

• Construction and sealing of the road to 10 metres wide on a 10 metre formation, including parking bays and rest areas.
• Floodway and off-road drainage construction.
• Installation of culverts, all signs and pavement markings.

The BG&E team developed a high standard design for Main Roads WA which were provided to other consultants as a bench mark.