The newly formed Main Roads Board took over control and maintenance of the Coolgardie–Esperance route and twenty-one other important roads between 1926 and 1928, which were declared "main roads". To increase the usability of the overall main road network, the work schedule for these roads prioritised the worst individual segments, rather than any one road. The Coolgardie to Esperance route was allocated £3,000 for new construction in the first year of these arrangements. By January 1927, construction had commenced on an portion north of Salmon Gums, which had been colloquially known as "The Glue Pot".