Congestion solutions for Perth’s north-east underway
21 March 2019
A major interchange upgrade for
Wanneroo Road
started construction today while the contract to widen one of the last
remaining sections of single-lane highway in
Perth has also been awarded.
The two projects - the interchange of Wanneroo Road and Ocean Reef Road
and the four-kilometre widening of
Reid Highway between Altone Road and
West Swan Road - are jointly funded by the Australian and WA State
governments.
Both projects were part of the $2.3 billion 'boosting jobs, busting
congestion' package of works announced in April 2017 and are set to
remove two traffic congestion hotspots and improve
road safety across
Perth's growing north-eastern suburbs.
The $64.8 million Wanneroo Road-Ocean Reef Road Interchange will improve
north-south connectivity, while the $77.5 million Reid Highway widening
will boost east-west road connections.
Federal Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan
Tudge said the two projects would bolster the congestion busting
solutions for Perth motorists, and get people home sooner and safer.
"The Wanneroo Road and Ocean Reef Road Interchange is one of three
Wanneroo Road projects worth a total of $146 million to keep the
north-eastern suburbs moving," Mr Tudge said.
"Wanneroo Road widening between Joondalup Drive and Flynn Drive is about
to be completed, and construction is well-underway at the Wanneroo Road
and Joondalup Drive Interchange.
"The three complementary projects will significantly improve congestion
by delivering more consistent and reduced journey times."
Mr Tudge said the Interchange project would boost jobs, with 350 jobs
expected to be created, while the Reid Highway widening is estimated to
create 400.
Western Australian Minister for Transport and Planning Rita Saffioti
said both of these projects were key McGowan Government election
commitments that we are pleased to be delivering in partnership with the
Australian Government.
"This part of Reid Highway is one of the last remaining sections of
single-carriageway highway in the entire metropolitan area so we are
proud to be finally upgrading it," Ms Saffioti said.
"When the Reid Highway duplication project gets underway, New Lord
Street will be open, more of NorthLink WA will be open and the
Morley-Ellenbrook Line will be progressing further towards a
construction start date.
"We look forward to seeing this project progress, delivering an
efficient east-west route across Perth's north eastern suburbs for local
residents, commuters and the freight industry.
"This project is the latest milestone in the transformation of the road
network in Perth's north eastern corridor - we then embark on building
the Morley-Ellenbrook Line.
"I am proud this contract is also delivering good outcomes for local
jobs and industry, being the first Main Roads project delivered under
the
WA Industry Participation Strategy."
The Federal Member for Moore Ian Goodenough said historically, the
Wanneroo Road-Ocean Reef Road intersection has been one of the most
congested in the metropolitan area, ranked Perth's 13th most congested
in the 2017 Australian Road Research Board Report.
"The grade separated interchange will improve east-west connectivity
between coastal suburbs and employment centres such as Wangara and
Malaga by replacing traffic signals at the current intersections," Mr
Goodenough said.
"More efficient transport linkages will reduce commuting times for
residents in the coastal suburbs of Moore and promote the economic
development of commercial and industrial activity centres.
"It is pleasing to see a project I campaigned for 15 years ago whist a
local government councillor at the City of Wanneroo finally being
delivered."
Congestion at the intersection led to a concerning safety record, with
197 crashes recorded between 2013 to 2017, including 167 rear-end
collisions. Construction of the Wanneroo Road-Ocean Reef Road
intersection is expected to be complete in late-2020.
Meanwhile,
Decmil Southern Pty Ltd has been awarded the contract to
design and construct the 4km dual-carriageway road between Altone Road
and West Swan Road in Perth's north-eastern suburbs.
The contract is the first major road project to be delivered under the
WA Industry Participation Strategy, meaning the tenderer was required to
outline its plan to guarantee local work. Construction is expected to
start in mid-2019 following a period of detailed design and is expected
to be completed in mid-2020.
The Reid Highway duplication project will also include a new bridge over
Reid Highway at Arthur Street to connect the growing communities of
Caversham and Dayton, thanks to a $7.5 million contribution from the
City of Swan.
A principal shared path will be built alongside the widening project,
enabling connectivity with other new cycle paths at New Lord Street and
NorthLink WA to open up cycling access to Ellenbrook, the Swan Valley
and suburbs along Reid Highway.
The $64.8 million interchange project is jointly-funded by the Federal
($51.84 million) and State ($12.96 million) Governments.
The Reid Highway project is jointly-funded by the Federal ($56 million)
and WA State ($14 million) Governments, with a $7.5 million contribution
from the City of Swan towards the Arthur Street Bridge.
--ENDS--
Source: Western Australia Government - www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au
Contact: Transport and Planning Minister's office - 6552 5500
External Links: N/A
Recent news by: WA Government