Construction of another job-creating road project underway
11 June 2019
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Works start on election commitment to build a dual carriageway on Reid Highway
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Project to link in with other road and rail upgrades in the area
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400 jobs to be created through construction
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First contract to be delivered under the WA Industry Participation Strategy
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Project funded from the redirection of funds from the flawed Perth Freight Link project
Work has now started to upgrade
Perth's last
remaining section of high-speed single lane
highway to dual carriageway
in Perth's north-eastern suburbs.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti today helped turn the sod for the
four-kilometre dual-carriageway upgrade of
Reid Highway between Altone
Road and West Swan Road.
This project was funded through the redirection of funds from the flawed
Perth Freight Link project when the McGowan Government was elected.
Modifications to the intersection of Reid Highway and West Swan Road
will improve traffic flow and turning movements, while a new shared path
for pedestrians and cyclists will improve access to the Swan Valley and
enhance local connectivity.
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, a priority of the City of Swan. The State
Government has worked with the
City of Swan to make the
bridge part of
the duplication works.
The bridge will enable alternative access for buses to cross Reid
Highway and for residents accessing the primary school opening in South
Caversham in 2020. Meanwhile, emergency vehicles will also be afforded
an extra exit and entry point.
Widening this section of Reid Highway was a McGowan Government election
commitment, which will join a range of other projects - either under
construction or being planned - aimed at tackling congestion in the
north-eastern suburbs.
These include New Lord Street,
NorthLink WA, Morley-Ellenbrook Line, the
355 bus service and record investment in new shared paths.
Decmil Southern Pty Ltd was awarded the contract for the Reid Highway
project, which will be the first to be delivered under the WA Industry
Participation Strategy, ensuring local work and job creation.
The $77.5 million project is jointly funded by the
Commonwealth
Government ($56 million) and State Government ($14 million), with an
additional $7.5 million contribution from the City of Swan towards the
Arthur Street Bridge.
Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"This project is the latest milestone in the transformation of the road
network in Perth's north-eastern corridor.
"With NorthLink and New Lord Street approaching completion, we are
slashing travel times for residents and commuters, paving the way for
continued growth and investment in these suburbs.
"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.
"We have been able to embark on a record number of road projects,
including this Reid Highway upgrade, thanks to this Government's
decision to stop construction of Roe 8 and redirect its funding to much
more needed projects across the suburbs and regional WA."
Comments attributed to Midland MLA Michelle Roberts:
"I'm so pleased this Government is eliminating the final section of
single carriageway on Reid Highway between Marmion Avenue and Great
Northern Highway, reducing congestion and improving safety at a
well-known pinch point.
"The Arthur Street Bridge will complement Reid Highway and other major
upgrades to improve local access for residents of Caversham and Dayton,
relieving pressure on the intersection of Lord Street and Reid Highway."
Comments attributed to City of Swan Mayor David Lucas:
"The Arthur Street overpass will connect communities in Dayton and
Caversham, cutting travel times and improving accessibility to local
schools and shops.
"The City of Swan committed $7.5 million towards the overpass in an
effort to improve connectivity. I thank the Minister and the McGowan
State Government for delivering this much needed infrastructure.
"The highway upgrades will improve safety for users and reduce the
likelihood of head-on collisions, which have claimed six lives in recent
years."
--ENDS--
Source: Western Australia Government - www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au
Contact: Minister's office - 6552 5500
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