 By the 1960s North West Coastal Highway had become a crucial connection for development in the Pilbara – including the pastoral industry , tourism , and the emergence of iron ore mining . In 1966 the traffic volume was up to 125 vehicles per day , and the unsealed road needed constant maintenance to cope with this demand . There were also frequent delays due to flooding . In 1966 the state government announced that the sealed road would be extended to Port Hedland , over a nine @-@ year period . Substantial portions of the highway would also be relocated above the flood plain . The new alignment on higher ground would be 50 miles ( 80 km ) shorter , and would make bridging rivers easier . 
