Great Northern Highway remains closed

Repairs have commenced along the Great Northern Highway, but it could be days before the route re-opens, after relentless storms caused major damage and flooding.

The road closure has crippled supplies to the West Kimberley towns, leaving supermarket shelves without fresh produce since yesterday.

Most of the damage has been caused around the Logue River Bridge and surrounding areas, which has closed the highway between the Roebuck Plains and Willare Bridge Roadhouses, the only link between Broome and Derby.

Flood waters have scoured parts of the bridge abutments, highway shoulders and sealed pavement.

Main Roads WA said it could be several days until the route re-opens.

The highway remains severely flooded between Roebuck Plains and Sandfire Roadhouses, with the national highway not expected to open until early next week.

Main Roads northern regions executive director John Erceg said repair crews had been deployed but flood levels could delay re-opening.

“Main Roads is highly conscious of the need to reconnect communities in the North West and the re-opening of the highway remains our highest priority,” he said.

Mr Erceg encouraged travellers to obey signage, after continued reports of stranded drivers after defying “road closed” signs.