Congestion busting relief for Perth’s eastern suburbs one step closer
12 July 2019
Congestion busting relief is in sight for
Perth's eastern suburbs, with a contract awarded for the
design and
construction of a new interchange at
Roe Highway and Kalamunda Road.
Georgiou Group have been awarded the $51 million contract following a
competitive
tender process in late 2018.
Detailed design of the project is currently underway, with construction
anticipated to begin in late 2019. Completion is scheduled for early
2021.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan
Tudge said the new interchange was another essential component for the
Morrison Government's landmark investment in
Western Australia's
road
and
rail infrastructure.
"This interchange will bust congestion and improve traffic flow and
freight efficiency on what is a strategic route across Perth's eastern
suburbs," Mr Tudge said.
Minister for Transport and Planning Rita Saffioti said with
NorthLink
and New Lord Street close to completion, and the Reid Highway Dual
Carriageway project underway, our road improvement program in Perth's
eastern suburbs is gathering pace.
"This project will address congestion and improve journey times through
one of the last remaining signalised intersections on Roe Highway," Ms
Saffioti said.
"The current intersection is a safety and congestion blackspot, and this
upgrade will go a long way towards improving safety for residents in
Kalamunda and the foothills of Perth."
This will be closely followed by the now fully-funded interchange at the
intersection of Great Eastern Highway Bypass, which is currently
undergoing project development.
The project will see Roe Highway lowered by approximately nine metres to
pass beneath Kalamunda Road, minimising noise and visual intrusion for
residents in the surrounding area. Connectivity between the two roads
will be retained through two roundabouts on Kalamunda Road as well as on
and off-ramps to the highway.
A Principal Shared Path (PSP) will be constructed on the eastern side of
the highway, with local connectivity provided for pedestrians and
cyclists. Following an additional State Government funding commitment in
March 2019, this path will extend to Berkshire Road, completing a
missing link in the PSP network along Roe Highway.
New drainage, street lighting and other supplementary works will
complete the interchange.
With connections to almost all of Perth's important road corridors, Roe
Highway is a fundamental link for the movement of people and goods.
Almost 60,000 vehicles pass through this intersection each day, and up
to 14 per cent of these are heavy vehicles.
This project will eliminate one of the last remaining signalised
intersections on the highway, which is heavily congested and has a
higher than average number of crashes.
Although some clearing of non-native vegetation is required to
accommodate the project, Main
Roads has amended the road geometry on Kalamunda Road to retain a
large jarrah tree, estimated to be over 250 years old. Upon completion
of the project, the tree will be located in the road median for the
appreciation of current and future generations.
The project is one of the 18 projects announced as part of the $2.3
billion 'Boosting Jobs, Busting Congestion' infrastructure package
announced in May 2017.
--ENDS--
Source: Western Australia Government - www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au
Contact: Transport and Planning Minister's office - 6552 5500
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Recent news by: WA Government