Work to provide a bitumen surface was under way by January 1948, with prepared for surfacing by April through "reconditioning and tar priming". In July, Minister for Works Doney stated that there was no time frame for works beyond the section out of Coolgardie. There were no further surfacing works planned in 1950, nor in 1952 while Great Eastern Highway was still yet to be fully sealed. In April 1953 the Dundas Road Board considered bitumenising the road an urgent matter, especially the section north from Norseman. Dr. D. N. Kirkham of the Dundas Road Board considered that section to be a "disgrace to the country", the poorest quality experience along the interstate route between Sydney and Perth.