Cost of road maintenance and construction
In general the cost of road maintenance and construction across the Pilbara increased between 2003-04 and 2006-07, most noticeably within Port Hedland(T) in 2005-06 and 2006-07. An unusually large amount (approximately $6.1 million) was spent on flood damage, opening up and reinstatement works, for East Pilbara(S) in 2001-02. Of note is that East Pilbara(S) is the largest shire in the world, covering over 370,000 km2, and therefore generally displays higher costs for road maintenance and construction than the other shires.
Note: This is an incomplete data set as we do not have statistics for
Ashburton(S).
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Number of road closures
The majority of road closures in the Pilbara occur during the wet months, January through to May each year when cyclones are prone to cause flash flooding and damage. Surprisingly 2005 and 2008 were exceedingly dry years, with only 18 and 46 days (respectively) where roads in the Pilbara were closed.
In 2008 all except one road closure was recorded in East Pilbara(S). Marble Bar Road from Nullagine to the Jigalong turn off had the most closures in 2008 with 15 days, followed by Ripon Hills Rd with 14 days. Nanutarra - Munjina Road from Parraburdoo Spur Road to Tom Price Spur Rad in Ashburton(S) was the only road closure outside of East Pilbara(S) with 1 day Closed to All Vehicles.
Note: Ashburton(S) includes statistics for Tom Price Spur Road which closed in 2005.
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